Asbestos surveyor left paralysed with brain injury after fall

AN A SBE S T O S s u r v e y o r w a s paralysed with a brain injury after falling eight metres through a roof light.

Robin Williamson was carrying out work in Glasgow’s Netherton Community Centre on April 5, 2018.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard Mr Williamson and colleague Steven Mackie were taking samples from roofs in the building. This involved the pair – employed by council- linked City Property Glasgow – climbing a ladder which was extended.

Mr Mackie assisted Mr Williamson who climbed to the highest level roof which housed the swimming pool.

Mr Williamson took three or four felt samples before shouting to Mr Mackie that he was ready to come down.

Prosecutor Trina Sinclair said: “Mr Mackie went to retrieve the paperwork and headed back to foot the ladder for Mr Williamson to come back down.

“Just as Mr Mackie was about to reach the ladders, he looked up and saw Mr Williamson fall backwards through one of the roof lights.”

Mr Mackie climbed up the ladder and shouted Mr Williamson’s name but was met with no response. He then found Mr Williamson lying on the floor at the entrance door of the swimming pool area.

Mr Williamson was taken to hospital and was found to have suffered multiple skull fractures as well as a bleed to the brain. He also sustained spine and rib fractures.

Mr Williamson had post traumatic amnesia for five to six weeks and was released from hospital in October 2018.

Miss Sinclair added: “As a result of the injuries he sustained he is confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”

An investigation carried out found that “there was inadequate assessment of the risks involved for the work at height which Mr Mackie and Mr Williamson did on the external roof areas of the Netherton Community Centre.”

City Property Glasgow – a first offender – pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees. The charge says the company failed to supervise the two men and failed to ensure that risks were identified as well as putting adequate precautions in place.

Peter Gray KC, defending, told the court that the company’s annual turnover in 2022 was £ 2.6 million. It was also revealed civil action claims have been settled.

Sheriff Paul Reid fined the firm £ 200,000 stating: “The injury to Mr Williamson is obviously an aggravating factor. This is no more than deserved for the sentencing purposes in this case.”