The mother of a young Scots father killed at work has expressed disgust after his employer was fined £50,000 for health and safety failures. Steven Tervit, 32, died on November 9, 2023, after being thrown from a scissor lift onto a concrete floor at a technology centre in Renfrew.
Fatal Accident at Work
Steven, a father-of-three from Lanark, was dismantling a cleanroom at a specialist technology centre when the incident occurred. He was working at a height of around four metres when panels fell and struck the platform, ejecting him onto the workshop floor. He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow but died from catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injury, rib fractures, lung contusions, and fractures to his right thigh and left shin.
Employer Fined for Safety Failures
Food Process Engineering Limited, based in Hamilton, admitted health and safety breaches and was fined £50,000 at Paisley Sheriff Court on Wednesday, July 9, 2026. The company was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £3,750. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the firm failed to adequately assess and manage risks associated with dismantling a structure it had not originally installed. The wall panels, once the roof was removed, lacked sufficient lateral support. The company's risk assessment and method statement did not address the risk of unplanned collapse. Although the method statement specified 'A-frame' props or supports, none were present on-site. The company assumed the cleanroom was built to industry standard without proper verification, and it failed to communicate risks to workers.
Mother's Anguish
Steven's mother, Mary, 64, said: 'We're disgusted at a fine of a mere £50,000 for the loss of a father, son and brother. It's a slap in the face. Is this all my son is worth? Being told my son was dead over the phone broke my heart in two. His children now have to live without their daddy for the rest of their lives. The injuries Steven sustained were terrible, and it should never have happened. We'll never get over the loss of Steven. Our lives will never be the same again.'
Mary added: 'Steven's death could have been prevented if his work had just followed the health and safety guidance and laws. It just wasn't there and as a result, my boy lost his life. In this day and age, nobody should lose their life at work due to the incompetence of their employer. We hope lessons can be learnt from Steven's death and that no family endures the pain that we have gone through.'
HSE Response
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.'
The Daily Record approached Food Process Engineering Limited for comment but received no response.
