Contractor Fined After Rothwell Man Died At New Homes Site

A carpentry contractor has been fined £8,000 after a Rothwell man died when he was struck by falling material on a new homes site.

Niall McCormack, 22, suffered a fatal head injury while working installing roof trusses at the site in Cambridgeshire in October 2019.

Both the truss packs and party wall spandrel panel had been lifted by crane onto a pair of semi-detached properties the day before the incident – temporarily supported by timber restraints.

Mr McCormack was working with another carpenter to remove trusses from the pack, when the wind caught a spandrel panel, pushing it against the remaining trusses.

Both the truss pack and spandrel panel fell into the work area and hit him.

Niall McCormack

An investigation by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found KM Carpentry Contractors Limited had failed to identify the risk of wind loading, and the effect this could have on the stability of the spandrel panel prior to being secured in place.

The method statement for the installation of the spandrel panels included lifting and placing them on the roof only after the roof trusses had been installed and permanently secured.

This could not be followed as they had both been placed on the roof at the same time as the roof trusses the day before.

HSE has guidance on the roles and responsibilities for contractors who directly employ or engage construction workers or manage construction work.

KM Carpentry Contractors Limited, of High Street, Higham Ferrers pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court.

The Company was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £6,974 in costs.

Niall McCormack

Niall was a popular former pupil at Montsaye Academy in Rothwell and last year a fundraiser was held in Desborough in his memory, to raise money for the Air Ambulance.

A family statement said: “The whole family has been badly affected by Niall’s loss. One of his friends is going to Australia and we can’t help thinking Niall should be here and going with him.

“Niall has lost the ability to grow up and have children of his own. He won’t be getting married and all the things you do as families. He’s missed out on so much, for what, going to work. No one should go to work and not come back.”

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jenny Morris said: “Our thoughts are with Niall’s family, a 22-year-old who was just setting out on his career in the construction industry.

“This case highlights the importance of identifying the risks associated with a work activity and ensuring a safe system of work is devised and then followed.”