31/01/2011 - £80,000 fine for council over death
The death of a 90-year-old woman in a fall through an access hole at her home has seen a council fined £80,000.
West Lothian Council admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act when the Health and Safety Executive brought a prosecution at Livingston Sheriff Court.
Council staff carried out gas repairs at the West Lothian home of Catherine Walker but left the access hole in her hallway unguarded. She died after suffering major injuries on falling into the hole.
Mrs Walker was making her way to the bathroom of her house in Broompark View, East Calder, when she fell. The council has since apologised for what happened.
The HSE said the pensioner plunged through an access hole in the hall floor which had been left uncovered by council employees working on her home.
The work, involving upgrading of central heating systems in domestic council properties, involved fitting new radiators, pipework, a boiler and electrical control systems. The floorboards were lifted for access to pipework.
HSE inspector Garry Stimpson said: "The council employees should have covered the access hole or erected a barrier around it - this would have ensured the safety of Mrs Walker."
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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