Housebuilder Fined after Builder Killed by Telehandler

A HOUSEBUILDING company was fined £160,000 after a worker was killed by a telehandler at the housebuilder’s site in Glasgow.

Scott Bradley had been reversing the vehicle at the Stepford Road site when it slid down an embankment and overturned on 11 May 2022.

The 44-year-old, employed by Merchant Homes Partnership Limited, had been using the telehandler to move scaffolding behind houses that had been partially built.

Despite the efforts of colleagues and the emergency services, Scott Bradley died from crush injuries at the scene.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Police Scotland found Merchant Homes Partnership Limited, the principal contractor at the site, had not risk assessed the traffic route where the incident occurred.

Housebuilder Fined

Merchant Homes Partnership Ltd, of George Square, Glasgow, was fined £160,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 12 November 2024 after pleading guilty to breaching CDM regulations.

Merchant Homes Partnership Limited built private and social housing in Scotland. It declared a turnover of £12m in 2017 but its revenues dropped in recent years. The company ceased trading January 2024, with the loss of 22 jobs and was provisionally declared bankrupt.

HSE Inspector James Caren said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Mr Bradley.

“Our investigation discovered that Merchant Homes Partnership Limited had failed in its duty to properly risk assess and introduce measures to ensure the traffic route was suitable for the telehandler being driven by Mr Bradley. As a result of this, the telehandler’s wheels went over the edge of the traffic route while it was being reversed, which tragically led to the vehicle overturning.”

HSE guidance can be found at: Construction – Mobile plant and vehicle industry health & safety.

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