A demolition company has been prosecuted after a worker died when he fell from a mezzanine deck in Edinburgh.

Walker Demo Limited of Somervell Street, Cambuslang, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It has been fined £40,000.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court how the victim, Peter Millar, was working for the company on a demolition project at the Fort Kinnaird Retail Park south of Edinburgh on 15 January 2015.

However, while working to remove wooden boards from a mezzanine deck, he lost his balance and fell from the deck. He died 10 days later.

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A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the demolition activity had not been adequately planned to prevent danger as there were no measures in place to prevent access onto the mezzanine floor and no measures in place to prevent a person falling from the mezzanine deck.

Speaking after the hearing Inspector Gerry Muir said: "The failure of Walker Demo Limited to properly plan the dismantling of the mezzanine deck led to an uncontrolled risk of a fall from height which was sadly realised when Mr Millar gained access to the deck and fell.

"Work at height is the single biggest cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry. During demolition and dismantling, workers can be injured falling from edges, through openings, fragile surfaces and partially demolished floors. Duty holders have a responsibility to assess, eliminate and control the risks of falls from height."

(LM/MH)