The death of 60-year-old Alan Brisbane, who died after falling through a barn roof at A and K Farming in Stirling in September 2023, is being examined as part of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) that began at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Monday. Brisbane's case is one of six fatalities grouped together in a broader probe aimed at highlighting unsafe practices when working at height.
Six Deaths Under Scrutiny
The FAI also investigates the deaths of Charles Emslie, 71, Colin Gibson, 62, Dale Pattinson, 36, Hugh MacPhail, 75, and James Smith, 74. All six men died after falling through farm building roofs. The inquiry will examine the circumstances of each death and consider evidence on safety awareness and adherence to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for working at height.
Agricultural Sector's Disproportionate Risk
The No Falls Foundation, a charity dedicated to preventing falls from height, has called for industry-wide reflection on safety practices. The charity highlighted that while the agricultural sector represents just 1% of the UK's working population, it accounts for 20% of work-related fatalities involving falls from height. Chairman Peter Bennett OBE, who provided evidence to the inquiry, said: “This inquiry is unique, as it groups these six deaths together due to the common denominator that all men had a fatal fall from height and, in these cases, through a farm building roof. We are hopeful the outcome of which will help to reduce the risk of future avoidable deaths in similar circumstances.”
Persistent Workplace Hazard
Bennett added: “Despite advances in height safety, the introduction of the Work at Height Regulations in 2005 and increased awareness of the risks of working at height, falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries in Great Britain. With an estimated one million plus businesses, and 10 million workers, carrying out work involving some form of working at height every year, this lack of improvement in workplace fatalities and injuries needs to change.”
