Worker Fatally Injured at Viking Site: BAM Nuttall Fined £800,000
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Liam MacDonald, a 23-year-old agency worker from Tain, Ross-shire, tragically lost his life on 5 June 2022 while working at the Viking site on Upper Kergord. MacDonald had been employed on the site for just over a month when the incident occurred.
On the morning of the accident, MacDonald was removing dried concrete from a pouring skip using a hammer. During the process, the skip’s bale arm fell, striking him on the chest and pinning him beneath it. He was found unresponsive, prompting an immediate response from colleagues who performed CPR and used a defibrillator. Despite their efforts, MacDonald was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered that BAM Nuttall, the principal contractor at the site, had failed to secure the bale arm, putting workers at significant risk. HSE Inspector Jackie Randell stated that the company had not identified the potential hazard of the bale arm falling nor implemented a safe system of work to protect employees during maintenance or cleaning tasks.
Speaking about her son, Wendy Robson said:
“Liam loved life, his family, and friends. He was at the very beginning of his adult life, full of hopes and dreams. Losing him has left an immeasurable void in our lives. We have been robbed of sharing his future, his dreams, and the family he wished to build. Words cannot adequately express how much we love and miss him.”
At Inverness Sheriff Court, BAM Nuttall Limited of Surrey pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety regulations. The company was fined £800,000 and ordered to pay a £60,000 victim surcharge.
HSE Inspector Randell emphasized the gravity of the case:
“This was a tragic and entirely preventable incident that cost a young man his life. Our thoughts remain with Liam MacDonald’s family and friends. BAM Nuttall failed in its duty to ensure the safety of its workforce, and this prosecution highlights the importance of proper risk assessments and safe working practices.
“Contractors must review up-to-date safety information from manufacturers and ensure it is communicated to workers. Rigorous monitoring is essential to ensure everyone on site remains safe.”
The case serves as a stark reminder for all contractors of the critical importance of maintaining robust safety systems to protect their workforce.
