Firm to face trial after worker burns to death

A CHIPBOARD firm will face trial following the death of a worker who suffered burns weeks before he was due to retire.

It is alleged George Laird, 64, was injured when staff used a fire hose to remove hot ash from the gas duct of a combustion chamber at the plant in Cowie, Stirlingshire, court documents state.

Norbord Europe Ltd is accused of exposing the late father of two and his colleagues to the risk of serious injury and death through alleged health and safety failings.

It is alleged that as a result of the workers’ self-devised use of the high-pressure hose, hot water, steam and ash were ‘propelled’ onto Mr Laird.

He died in the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Falkirk, the following day – July 14, 2016 – following what prosecutor Sandra Craig described as ‘a tragic incident’.

At a preliminary hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court, defence counsel Mark Stewart, QC, tendered pleas of not guilty on behalf of Norbord Europe Ltd to two charges under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.

The first alleges that Norbord Europe failed to provide a safe system of work for employees removing hot ash from the combustion chamber or inspecting or removing hot ash from the gas duct, as a result of which staff ‘devised their own system of work and were thereby put at risk of personal injury or death’.

The second charge alleges that the company failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to anyone carrying out such work, and the precautions to be taken.

Sheriff Keith O’Mahony continued the case to a further preliminary hearing on May 18, at which dates for trial by jury may be fixed.