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Boom Lift Operator Sentenced After MEWP Incident in Glasgow

A boom lift operator has been sentenced after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches following a serious MEWP incident in Glasgow in 2022. The operator failed to provide fall protection, safety instructions, or traffic control while a colleague worked from the platform. A bus struck the boom lift, catapulting the worker from height and causing life-altering injuries. The main contractor had already been fined £215,000.

30-Second Takeaway A boom lift operator has been sentenced after pleading guilty to breaching UK health and safety legislation following a serious MEWP incident in Glasgow that left a colleague with life-altering injuries. The operator failed to provide safety instructions, exclusion controls, or fall-protection equipment while working at height. The incident occurred in February 2022 when a bus struck the boom lift, catapulting the worker from the platform. Incident Overview A self-propelled articulated boom lift  incident in Glasgow, Scotland , in February 2022  has resulted in a criminal conviction and sentencing. Leon Chalmers , who was operating the boom lift, pleaded guilty to contravening UK health and safety legislation  after failing to protect or instruct his colleague, Aeden Brown (27) , who was working from the platform repairing cladding. What Happened While Brown was working at height from the platform: The boom lift was partially elevated A bus clipped the half-raised riser The impact caused the boom lift to tip and rock back onto two wheels This created a catapult effect , ejecting Brown from the platform Chalmers remained in the platform, despite not wearing a harness himself . Injuries Sustained Brown fell approximately five metres , landing first on a car roof  before striking the ground. He sustained multiple serious injuries, including: Fractured wrist Fractures to the pelvis and hip Collapsed lung He remained in hospital for two weeks , during which: Surgical plates  were fitted around his pelvis and hip He was later re-admitted  due to a hip infection and now: Walks with a pronounced limp Experiences constant hip pain , especially on inclines Has not returned to work  since the incident Investigation Findings The investigation concluded that Leon Chalmers : Failed to provide any health and safety instructions Did not cordon off or control traffic  around the boom lift Failed to provide a harness and lanyard Did not cooperate with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)  investigation These failures directly contributed to the severity of the incident. Legal Outcome Chalmers pleaded guilty and was sentenced to: 150 hours of unpaid work / community service One year of supervision The main contractor , McTaggart Construction , had already pleaded guilty to separate offences and was fined £215,000  for failing to: Plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase Coordinate health and safety matters on site Why Incidents Like This Happen MEWP incidents involving vehicle strikes often occur when: Traffic is not properly segregated Platforms are operated in live traffic environments Fall protection is not used Operators lack authority, training, or understanding of risk Even low-speed vehicle contact can generate enough force to destabilise a MEWP. Industry Reminder MEWP platforms offer no forgiveness when struck or destabilised. The absence of fall protection turns a survivable incident into a life-altering one. This case is a stark reminder that individual operators and principal contractors can both face prosecution  when basic safety controls are ignored. Editorial Note Crane Hub Global reports on incidents, prosecutions, and enforcement actions to support industry learning and prevention. This article is based on confirmed court findings and investigation outcomes. How This Incident Could Have Been Prevented Mandatory Fall Protection Harnesses and lanyards should be mandatory  when working from boom-type MEWPs. Traffic and Exclusion Control Working near live roads requires physical barriers, traffic management, or lane closures . Operator Responsibility MEWP operators have a duty to protect everyone on the platform , not just themselves. Site-Level Oversight Principal contractors must ensure MEWP operations are properly planned and monitored . Stop-Work Authority Any unsafe condition, particularly vehicle proximity should trigger an immediate stop.

boom-lift-operator-sentenced-after-mewp-incident-in-glasgow

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