A County Antrim scaffolding company has been fined £20,000 following a workplace incident in Belfast that resulted in the death of a 60-year-old employee.
Worker struck by falling scaffolding component
Samuel Magill was collecting scaffolding components from a construction site on Lisburn Road, Belfast, on 18 December 2024.
Employees were dismantling scaffolding when a metal component became dislodged from the upper section of the structure.
The component, approximately 2.4 metres long, fell around eight metres and struck Mr Magill on the head.
Paramedics attended the scene before he was transported to hospital by ambulance.
Mr Magill remained in hospital until his death on 5 February 2025.
Investigation identifies exclusion zone failures
Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident and identified shortcomings in the management of the exclusion zone around the scaffolding.
The investigation found that the company had not implemented adequate measures to prevent individuals who were not directly involved in dismantling operations from approaching the structure.
Mr Magill was working as a collection driver and had arrived to collect dismantled scaffolding materials.
He parked his vehicle on the pavement outside the construction site before entering the area on foot.
The falling board struck him at the edge of the construction site’s exclusion zone, adjacent to the pavement.
Company fined following prosecution
The company was subsequently fined £20,000.
The case highlights the importance of controlling access to areas where scaffolding dismantling operations are taking place, particularly where falling materials could endanger workers not directly involved in the activity.
Major Investigation Team Inspector Kevin Campbell said: “This tragic incident was entirely preventable. Samuel Magill suffered serious injuries as a result of being struck by a metal scaffolding board that fell in an uncontrolled manner.
“All employers must ensure that they have robust procedures to ensure that equipment and components are lowered to the ground in a controlled method.
“Clear work instructions must be communicated effectively to all the relevant personnel involved in the activity.
“It is vital, where there is a possibility that that items may fall unintentionally, that there is a clear identified exclusion zone, with appropriate measures to prevent unauthorised persons entering this area.”
