Telehandler death leads to fine for construction company

A construction company has been handed a six-figure fine after the death of a worker on a house building site in Glasgow.

Scott Bradley (44) was employed by Merchant Homes Partnership Limited on their Stepford Road site, where the company acted as Principal Contractor. Mr Bradley operated a telehandler, a lifting machine that effectively functions as a forklift and crane.

On 11 May 2022, Mr Bradley was using the telehandler to move scaffolding behind partially-built houses on site. He was reversing the vehicle when it slid down an embankment and overturned.

Scott Bradley was crushed by the vehicle, and died at the scene of his injuries.

Investigating the incident, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Police Scotland found no risk assessment for the traffic route where Mr Bradley’s vehicle overturned.

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, it is the Principal Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that traffic routes are be suitable for any persons or vehicles using them. These routes must be sufficient in number, placed in suitable positions and of sufficient size for the traffic using them.

HSE Inspector James Caren said:

“This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Mr Bradley.

“Our investigation discovered that Merchant Homes Partnership Limited had failed in its duty to properly risk assess and introduce measures to ensure the traffic route was suitable for the telehandler being driven by Mr Bradley.

“As a result of this, the telehandler’s wheels went over the edge of the traffic route while it was being reversed, which tragically led to the vehicle overturning.”

Merchant Homes Partnership Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 27(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £160,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 12 November 2024.

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