A Scottish engineering company has been fined £50,000 following the death of a father who was thrown from a scissor lift during a dismantling operation at a technology centre in Renfrew.
Steven Tervit, 32, was working at a height of approximately four metres on a scissor lift at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) at Westway Business Park on November 9, 2023. He was removing wall panels from a cleanroom when the remaining panels fell and struck the platform, causing him to be ejected onto the concrete floor.
Mr Tervit was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he was found to have suffered a traumatic brain injury, rib fractures, lung contusions, and fractures to his right thigh and left shin. He died in hospital the following day.
Investigation Reveals Safety Failures
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Food Process Engineering Limited, based in Hamilton, had failed to adequately assess and manage the risks associated with dismantling the cleanroom, which had been built by a third party. The wall panels, once the roof was removed, lacked sufficient lateral support to maintain stability.
The company's risk assessment and method statement did not address the risk of unplanned collapse. Although the firm's own method statement specified the use of 'A-frame' props or supports, none were present or in use at the time of the accident. The company had conducted visual inspections of the cleanroom's exterior and assumed it was built to industry standards, but HSE deemed this assumption unsafe, as dismantling a structure built by a third party carried inherent risks of latent defects.
Additionally, the company failed to communicate its risk assessment and method statement to employees, leaving workers unaware of the dangers involved.
Legal Outcome and Fine
Food Process Engineering Limited admitted failing to provide a duty of care, safe equipment, and adequate training to its employee. The firm was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £3,750 at Paisley Sheriff Court.
HSE inspector Amna Doherty said: “The failings of this company cost a much-loved husband, father and son his life. Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace death and injury. There was a lack of planning in terms of the risk and those being tasked with the job were not aware of the dangers posed to them. We will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to protect their workers.”
