Worker died after being struck on head by metal beam on hospital building site

An engineering firm has been fined £135,000 after Alistair Hutton died on the Baird Family Hospital site in Aberdeen.

Worker died after being struck on head by metal beam on Aberdeen hospital building site — Baird Family Hospital construction site in Aberdeen. Contributed

22nd Mar 2024

Posted in

Aberdeen City

An engineering firm has been fined £135,000 after a construction worker died when he was struck in the head by a metal beam while working on a hospital building site.

Alistair Hutton, a sub-contractor hired by NG Bailey Limited, was killed while working on the Baird Family Hospital project in Aberdeen on January 18, 2023.

The 51-year-old was operating a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) along an unfinished corridor at the hospital when his head struck a metal lintel.

Mr Hutton, who lived in Forfar, immediately lost consciousness, and was pronounced dead an hour later.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found that NG Bailey Limited had failed to consider overheard obstructions, especially with the use of MEWPs.

NG Bailey Limited, of Brown Lane West, Leeds, was fined £135,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £10,125 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on March 21, 2024.

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.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards. Our thoughts remain with Mr Hutton’s family and friends.”