Worker dies after being impaled on metal piping in horror railway station fall, as Sheffield firm fined £550k

The Sheffield-based construction company Linbrooke Services Limited has been fined £550,000 over what the Crown Office said was the ‘foreseeable and avoidable’ death of Matthew Mason, aged 20. Mr Mason had been working at Bearsden railway station in East Dunbartonshire, near Glasgow, where he was installing a PA system, when he fell to his death.

He was attempting to free cabling which had become stuck when he fell backwards from a step ladder and became impaled on a section of piping being used as the handle on a cable drum. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the pipe pierced his side.

Sheffield company also ordered to pay £200,000 compensation

Linbrooke Services Limited was found guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court of three offences, including failing to identify the risks of pulling cabling through a conduit at height, despite previously having been alerted to the issues by a sub-contractor. The company was also ordered to pay Mr Mason’s family £200,000 in compensation when it was sentenced yesterday, Monday, May 15.

During a 14-day trial, prosecutors argued the firm had failed assess risks and put in place a safe system of work. Stepladders were also identified as being unsuitable for Mr Mason’s work, as well as insufficient measures having been put in place to prevent a fall and to ensure the work area was free of material that could cause injury in the event of a fall.

Worker’s death ‘could have been prevented’

Debbie Carroll, who heads the health and safety investigations team at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “Matthew Mason lost his life in circumstances which were foreseeable and avoidable. His death could have been prevented had Linbrooke Services Limited put in place appropriate planning, supervision and protective measures to manage the risk of working at height.

“It is well known that falls from height are one of the single greatest causes of death and serious injury to workers within the construction industry. From the evidence heard here there needs to be an increased recognition and rigour within the industry in addressing the risks associated with the use of stepladders.

“This prosecution should remind duty holders that a failure to fulfil their obligations can have fatal consequences and they will be held accountable for this failure.”

A spokeswoman for Linbrooke said: “This was a tragic accident, and our sympathies remain with Mr Mason’s family. Our overriding commitment to safety is continually measured by our industry-leading track record over many years and this was recently demonstrated by the significant amount of related evidence that was considered by the court.

“Whilst we are disappointed by the verdict, we respect the decision of the jury. The health and safety of our people, in all aspects of our business, remains one of the key pillars of our culture and ways of working.”