A County Tyrone enterprise has incurred a penalty due to the unfortunate demise of a young electrical trainee at a construction site.
Swift Control Services Limited, headquartered in Dungannon, faced a £10,000 fine imposed by the Londonderry Crown Court on May 10, 2024, after the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) concluded its inquiry. The company acknowledged culpability for a breach of health and safety regulations during a prior legal proceeding.
The case pertains to the tragic incident on October 16, 2021, where 18-year-old Adam Newell, an electrical apprentice, suffered lethal injuries from an electrified circuit while working unsupervised at a new residence on Tirgan Road, Moneymore.
The HSENI’s probe revealed that Mr. Newell was alone in a storeroom handling a live electrical wire, leading to his electrocution. Lee Dougan, an inspector with HSENI’s Major Investigation Team, emphasised the critical need for employers to furnish young or inexperienced workers, particularly apprentices, with comprehensive guidance, training, and oversight to grasp the importance of workplace health and safety. He highlighted that such measures are crucial in high-risk sectors like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Dougan stated that the accident could have been avoided and assured that HSENI would enforce measures against entities or individuals neglecting the safety of young or inexperienced staff.
Graham Cardwell, Acting Assistant Director of PPS, reflected on the gravity of the case and the imperative for employers to implement rigorous safety protocols, especially for less experienced workers. He affirmed the PPS’s commitment to prosecuting health and safety violations in collaboration with enforcement partners.
Employers in hazardous industries are urged to assess the tasks assigned to young or inexperienced workers, the associated risks, and the effectiveness of their training and supervisory strategies. Additional resources and guidelines for employing young workers can be found on the HSENI website under “Employing young people in the workplace.”