A Waterford-based company has been fined €150,000 following a fatal workplace incident, highlighting the critical importance of Health & Safety compliance on construction and demolition sites.
The incident, which took place in December 2016, occurred when a 20-year-old employee was struck by a falling portion of masonry while working on a demolition project in Waterford City. The employee died on site as a result of the injuries sustained from the concrete block wall.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) found that no exclusion zone had been put in place around the demolition area. It also found that two workers on site did not hold valid Safe Pass cards, which is a legal requirement for construction workers in Ireland.
At the hearing, the company pleaded guilty to breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Construction Regulations 2013.
Health & Safety in construction: advice for employers
This case reinforces the need for employers, particularly those in construction or demolition, to take proactive and consistent measures to manage safety risks.
For employers in the construction industry, this includes:
- Carrying out thorough risk assessments for all activities performed on site, particularly for high-risk work.
- Establishing and maintaining exclusion zones where there is a risk of falling debris
- Ensuring all employees hold a valid and up-to-date Safe Pass certification
- Monitoring construction sites and enforcing safety protocols
If your business operates in high-risk sectors, now is the time to review your workplace protocols and Health & Safety documentation.