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Orla Mullan, 10 May
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for
Northern Ireland (HSENI), Swift Control Services Limited was today
fined £10,000 at Derry Crown Court.
The Dungannon based company pleaded guilty to a single health and
safety offence at an earlier court hearing.
The investigation followed the death of Mr Adam Newell (18), an
electrical apprentice working at a new build property on Tirgan Road,
Moneymore on October 16 2021.
Mr Newell sustained fatal injuries after coming in to contact with a
live electrical circuit during work inside the property which was under
construction.
The investigation established that Mr Newell was working alone and
unsupervised within a storeroom in the property when the incident
occurred. Mr Newell had been working with a newly laid electrical cable
which had become energised, resulting in electrocution.
Lee Dougan, Inspector from HSENI’s Major Investigation Team confirmed
that: “It is vitally important that young or inexperienced workers
including apprentices, are provided with clear and sufficient
instruction, training, and supervision from their employer, so they can
understand the significance of health and safety whilst at work. This
is especially important within high-risk industries such as
construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
“Risks to young or inexperienced workers need to be identified, managed
and any remaining actions required effectively communicated. They may
also need additional support from their employer to allow them to carry
out their work such as tailored training or closer supervision.
“This tragic death was completely preventable. HSENI will not hesitate
to take enforcement action where companies or individuals fail to take
the appropriate steps to protect young or inexperienced employees in
the workplace.”
PPS Acting Assistant Director Graham Cardwell said: “Prosecutors in the
PPS’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked closely with the Health and
Safety Executive for Northern Ireland investigators to build a robust
prosecution case which resulted in the guilty plea.
“This is a tragic and distressing case in which a young man lost his
life whilst working as a first-year electrical apprentice. This shows
just how devastating the consequences of not having adequate safety
measures in place can be. The conviction in this case should act as a
deterrent to other employers and businesses to ensure they have
stringent processes in place, especially for young or inexperienced
workers, to ensure employees and others affected by their work are not
exposed to risks which affect their health or safety.
“The PPS will continue to work with our enforcement partners to
prosecute for health and safety breaches in cases where the Test for
Prosecution is met.”