Quinn Building Products, based in Fermanagh, has been fined after previously pleading guilty to two health and safety breaches that resulted in the death of an employee in 2012.
The firm was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of over £7,700 at Omagh Crown Court.
The case arose following an investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) into a fatal accident which occurred in the company's precast factory at Gortmullan, Co Fermanagh.
On 13 September 2012, Brian Óg Maguire, a 24-year-old employee, was tensioning a steel rope, measuring approximately 125 metres, in preparation for the manufacture of precast cement slabs.
During the tensioning, the steel rope came adrift at one end and travelled towards Mr Maguire who was positioned in the safety cage.
The steel rope was forced behind Mr Maguire where it struck an object. The rope splayed and two of the individual strands struck Mr Maguire causing fatal injuries.
A HSENI investigation revealed that three wedge segments which grip the steel rope showed signs of wear and damage. In addition, the tapered barrel, in which the grips were positioned, was worn beyond the manufacturer's recommended limits.
This resulted in the rope gradually slipping through the grips during tensioning and being released with a force estimated to have been in the region of six tonnes.
The company did not have suitable arrangements in place to check the grips and barrels were suitable to use, nor did it have a proper system to manage the use and rotation of these safety critical items.
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
15/11/2024
An emergency road closure has been announced following serious structural integrity concerns of the former Antrim Arms Hotel building on Castle Street in Ballycastle. Following genuine fears surrounding the safety of the building's structure, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have ...
15/11/2024
A pre-design public consultation for the Dublin-based College Green - Dame Street Public Realm Project has been launched. The proposal to remodel College Green and Dame Street is a joint initiative by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority. The project aims to transform Dublin's ...
15/11/2024
A new plan which aims to fill vacant homes and revitalise derelict buildings has been proposed by Ireland's Green Party. The Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill put forward by the party aims to establish a single permitting system for fire, accessibility and planning in a one-stop-shop for ...
15/11/2024
Works will begin next week to provide a more reliable water supply in County Kildare, Uisce Éireann has announced. The improvements, which will take place in Allenwood, will also target the reduction of high levels of leakage. GMC Utilities Group are carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce ...
15/11/2024
Essential wastewater improvements being made to the North Street area in Carrickfergus are set to be completed on Friday, November 22, NI Water has announced. Further works will recommence to the area on January 6, after the busy Christmas period. The work is part of a major investment to improve ...
15/11/2024
A forthcoming road closure in Wicklow has been announced by the County Council ahead of essential roadworks which are suspected to last a week. The closure will impact the L-69052 road in Arklow and will take place on the junction of the L2901, Laffin's Lane and The Brook, from Monday, November ...
14/11/2024
A L'Derry park was visited by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs yesterday following the completion of extensive works. Manor Park in Moneymore welcomed Minister Andrew Muir MLA, who made the trip to see the result of extensive works which totalled £260,000. The ...
14/11/2024
A Railway Order planning application will be made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) regarding the major Luas Finglas project. The application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála on Monday, November 18, while the public can make submissions about the proposed light rail line from November ...
14/11/2024
A new €8.8 million social housing scheme officially launched in County Louth recently. The Ferrard Park development in Drogheda contains 28 new houses which were acquired by Louth County Council from CFS Homes for tenants from the council's social housing waiting list. The houses, which include a ...
14/11/2024
A number of projects across Wicklow aimed at addressing the negative impacts of climate change have received a significant cash boost. Wicklow County Council and The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications announced an allocation of €675,574.33 to 20 community groups across the ...