16.03.2004

Man dies after falling from ladder

John Walsh, 53 from the Bristol area, died yesterday when he fell three metres from a ladder. Walsh was believed to be helping with a concrete pour on the exterior walls of the debating chamber of the new assembly, when he fell. He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where he was declared dead.

South Wales Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the accident at the site, which is located at Britannia Quay in Cardiff Bay.

Mr Walsh was working for Bristol based Fersons Construction Limited, subcontractors to main contractor, Taylor Woodrow. A spokesman for Taylor Woodrow said:” It is with deep regret that we can confirm that John Walsh an employee of Fersons Construction Limited, subcontracted to Taylor Woodrow, suffered a fatal injury yesterday, March 15th. “We are shocked and saddened by the accident. Our thoughts are with the family of John Walsh and we want to express our deepest sympathy to them. “We can confirm that he was working on site at the Welsh Assembly debating chamber at the time of his death. Investigation processes are underway as to the cause of death.” We can confirm that no notices have been served by the HSE."

Comment
This latest incident continues a spate of deaths from relatively low level falls in the UK as a time when the HSE are considering new falls from height regulations.