(Ireland)
A fine of €250,000 has been imposed on Swissport Ireland Limited for breaches of health and safety legislation.
The prosecution arose after an accident 24 November 2018 at Stand 111C, Pier 1, Terminal 1, Dublin Airport.
An employee of the company suffered injuries and died when he fell from a height whilst carrying out cargo offloading operations without adequate or safe fall prevention systems or measures in place.
The company had pleaded guilty to two charges, in that they failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure the safety of employees and they failed to provide systems of work that were planned, organised, performed and maintained.
Swissport Ireland Limited pleaded guilty to the following offences under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005: Section 8 (2) (a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 as it relates to Section 77 (9) (a) and Section 8 (2) (e) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 as it relates to Section 77 (2) (a).
Mark Cullen, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority said: “Working at height is a well-known risk across all sectors. It is vitally important that employers manage and conduct working at height activities to ensure that the safety, health and welfare of their employees carrying out the activity are able to do so safely. As can be seen from this particular case, employers who fail to do so significantly increase the likelihood of a tragic event occurring to one or more of the employees. This tragic incident was foreseeable and preventable.”
HSA March 2023