Firm fined over hospital construction worker death

The worker died in January 2023

A company has been fined £145,125 following the death of a worker at a hospital construction site in Aberdeen.

A 51-year-old man - named in court documents as Alistair Hutton from Forfar - died following an incident at the site of the new Baird Family Hospital on 18 January 2023.

He sustained fatal crush injuries while manoeuvring a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP).

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday, NG Bailey Limited pled guilty to an offence under health and safety at work laws.

The company was fined £135,000 with a victim surcharge of £10,125.

Work on the multi-million pound facility was halted for about a week following the incident.

An HSE investigation into the death concluded in November.

At the time, construction company Graham confirmed that the incident had involved a sub-contractor.

The HSE subsequently served an improvement notice requiring NG Bailey to change working methods when in control of MEWPs.

The company has since implemented a "revised safe system of work".

Following the court hearing, HSE inspector Graham McEvoy said: “There was a failure by NG Bailey Limited to consider available guidance and the work that was being done, which led to inadequate risk control measures being implemented and unsafe working practices developing."

A spokesperson for the company said: “NG Bailey accepts the findings of the court following the Health and Safety Executive’s investigation.

"We have fully co-operated throughout the investigation.

“We offer our sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues affected by this tragic event.”

The Baird Family Hospital project is next to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

It will provide maternity and breast screening services, as well as a neonatal unit and operating theatre.

The Baird Family Hospital was due to open in 2020, but has been hit by a series of delays.

There is currently no rescheduled date for opening.