Construction firm Structural Metal Decks Ltd (SMDL) has been fined £105,000 after a worker was left paralysed from the neck down following an accident at a building site in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how Structural Metal Decks had been subcontracted to lay metal deck flooring by John Graham Construction Ltd, whch was building a new health centre in Kilsyth. On 22 April 2015, a scaffolder was moving scaffolding components when he stood on a section of decking put in place by SMDL. The decking sheet gave way and the man fell more than 4m to the ground.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found the metal deck sheets on the first level of the building had not been secured properly and access to the first level of the decking was not adequately controlled, allowing non-decking workers on to the deck.

Structural Metal Decks Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3 (1) and 33 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Speaking after the verdict, HSE inspector Graeme McMinn said: "This is a tragic incident which has had a devastating effect on a young man’s life. The accident could have been avoided if Structural Metal Decks Ltd had taken appropriate safety precautions and ensured the decking sheets were properly secured."