A Glasgow asbestos surveyor was paralysed with a brain injury after falling eight metres through a roof light.
Robin Williamson was carrying out work in Netherton Community Centre with colleague Steven Mackie when the horrific incident unfolded.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard they worked for City Property Glasgow and were taking samples from roofs in the building and that involved them climbing an extended ladder.
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Mr Mackie assisted Mr Williamson who climbed to the highest level roof that housed the swimming pool.
Mr Williamson took three or four felt samples before shouting to Mr Mackie that he was ready to come down on April 5, 2018.
Prosecutor Trina Sinclair said: “Mr Mackie went to retrieve the paperwork and headed back to foot the ladder for Mr Williamson to come back down.
“Just as Mr Mackie was about to reach the ladders, he looked up and saw Mr Williamson fall backwards through one of the roof lights.”
Mr Mackie climbed up the ladder and shouted Mr Williamson’s name, but was met with no response.
He then found Mr Williamson lying on the floor at the entrance door of the swimming pool area.
Mr Williamson was taken to hospital and was found to have suffered multiple skull fractures as well as a bleed to the brain.
He also sustained multiple spine and rib fractures.
Mr Williamson had post traumatic amnesia for five to six weeks and was released from hospital in October 2018.
Miss Sinclair added: “As a result of the injuries he sustained he is confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”
An investigation carried out found that “there was inadequate assessment of the risks involved for the work at height which Mr Mackie and Mr Williamson did on the external roof areas of the Netherton Community Centre.”
A general risk assessment which had been done stated that work at height “must be avoided".
It was stated that if it was not possible then it should be carried out “in as safe a way as reasonably practicable.”
The hearing was told Mr Williamson and Mr Mackie were “not aware” of site safety rules.
The general risk assessment was also not dated or signed by the assessor or manager.
Mr Mackie claimed that he had not received specific training in regards to working at heights apart from a short session in 2013 on working safely with ladders.
There was no "specific risk assessment" completed for the job at the community centre.
Management did not do site checks to make sure that the work was being carried out safely or to a plan.
City Property Glasgow - a first offender - pled guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees.
The charge says the company failed to supervise the two men and failed to ensure that risks were identified as well as putting adequate precautions in place.
Peter Gray KC, defending, told the court that the company's annual turnover in 2022 was £2.6 million.
The advocate added: "The breach is a matter of deep concern as Mr Williamson was a respected colleague who suffered serious injuries as a result of failings which the company bears responsibility.
"The breach was a matter of powerful shock and distress to the organisation and the asbestos team for the tragic incident."
It was also revealed that civil action claims have been settled.
Sheriff Paul Reid fined the company £200,000 stating:
"The injury to Mr Williamson is obviously an aggravating factor.
“This is no more than deserved for the sentencing purposes in this case.”
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