Firm fined after HGV driver dies in piling rig accident

A groundworks contractor has been fined £233,000 after a lorry driver was struck and killed by the mast of a piling rig at a house build site in Scotland.

HGV driver Gary Dobinson was collecting the rig owned by Van Elle from the Hallmeadow development in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway in January 2021.

As the mast of the rig was being lowered for its transportation it collapsed and struck the 52-year-old driver.

He died at the scene from his injuries.

An investigation by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that insufficient measures had been taken to maintain the piling rig in a safe condition prior to the incident.

Specifically, the securing lug for one of the mast’s retaining pins was badly corroded and failed, allowing the pin to displace and causing the mast to topple.

Kirkby-in-Ashfield-based Van Elle pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 at Dumfries Sheriff Court and it was fined the six-figure sum.

HSE inspector James Caren said: “All work equipment should be subject to suitable inspection and maintenance to ensure that it can be used without risk to the safety of those using it and those in the vicinity.

“Construction plant are exposed to harsh conditions and require effective inspection and maintenance regimes to avoid safety defects developing.

“The company should have had robust measures in place to maintain the piling rig so that it was structurally sound and could be operated safely.”