Accidents at Railway Bridges Raise Concern for Worker Safety
The authorities of the Scottish Railway were in for a shock recently when two workers succumbed to the injuries sustained due to a fall from a height. These workers were engaged in painting and blasting work on rail bridges when this tragic incident happened.
One accident was on the Forth Bridge where painter Robert McDonald fell from a ladder from a height of 150ft. The other accident occurred on the Tay Bridge and claimed the life of blasting team member David Rodger who fell from a height on to a ledge.
The twin accidents at construction sites have forced the regional secretary of UCATT to come forward and urge employers in construction business not to be complacent about worker safety. In spite of many such mishaps occurring with disturbing frequency, the danger quotient of construction sites is still very high with not much being done to improve and enforce safety norms.
Meanwhile, David Simpson route director of Network Rail Scotland has expressed his concern and grief at the accident. He also emphasised that the occurrence of such accidents has substantially decreased in the last decade. The reason for this, according to him, is better and more stringent implementation of the necessary safety measures.
Ian Prosser, who is responsible for Railway Safety in the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has guaranteed full investigation to identify the causes and assured that corrective action would be taken wherever needed. Investigation on the Forth bridge accident has started immediately while that for the accident at Tay Bridge is to start soon, pending some details, he clarified.
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