Fish processor fined after man fell 10 feet

A north-east fish processing plant has been fined £10,000 after an engineer suffered a broken bone after falling 10ft through a ceiling.

International Fish Canners Ltd (IFC) was hauled to Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday for failing to take basic safety precautions against the “entirely foreseeable and preventable” accident.

Laquat Ali was working on the evening of December 29, 2015, when bosses asked him to inspect a steam valve. He did the work and was then supposed to ask his supervisor what to do next. Instead he found a ladder and made his way into a roof cavity.

The court heard Mr Ali, who had not been trained about which parts of the roof were safe, had worked in the area before.

On this occasion however he stood on a weak section and fell through.

Fiscal depute Shona McJannett said Mr Ali suffered a broken heel in the accident and now walks with a limp as a result. “He was unaware it was unsafe,” Ms McJannett added.

“Management were aware the roof void was fragile, but there were no warning signs.”

.Since the accident, the firm has taken steps to shore up safety.