Scottish Hazards charity backs fatal accident inquiry call into death of Ross-shire man who died at Mowi fish farm
A NATIONAL charity campaigning for safety at work is supporting calls for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) following the death of a Highland fish farm worker.
Clive Hendry (58) was crushed when he tried to move from a moving work boat to a salmon feed barge near Kyle of Lochalsh in February 2020.
His employer, Mowi – formerly known as Marine Harvest – was this month fined £860,000 at Inverness Sheriff Court after it admitted health and safety failings which could have prevented his death.
His partner, Catriona Lockhart, and the charity, Scottish Hazards, are now calling for an FAI to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Hendry’s death.
“It has taken Catriona three years to get this point. She faces another battle ahead." - Louise Adamson
Louise Adamson, a trustee with Scottish Hazards, said Mr Hendry’s death illustrated why FAIs should be mandatory in such work-related deaths.
“An FAI is not about blame,” she said.
“It is about finding the facts and all of the detail of how they died and why they died and the circumstances surrounding their death but also looking at what lessons can be learned and what recommendations there are to stop it happening again.”
They hope to hear within the next few weeks whether an FAI has been granted – but if not, they will submit a review application.
Miss Adamson cited the fatal fire at Cameron House hotel by Loch Lomond in December 2017 which claimed the lives of two men.
RELATED: Fish farm company fined £860,000 over death
She said as in Mr Hendry’s case, the employer entered a guilty plea for the court case and a joint statement was agreed between the Crown office and the defence.
Following the court case, the families were told there would be no FAI but following a review application by Scottish Hazards one was subsequently granted.
Miss Adamson highlighted the toll it takes on bereaved families and friends.
“It is definitely stressful and it takes so long,” she said.
“It has taken Catriona three years to get this point. She faces another battle ahead.
“With the Cameron House case, it took five years to get an FAI and a determination.
“All that time you are waiting for answers and to find out what happened to your loved ones.
“So much new information came out at the Cameron House FAI which the family did not know before.
“It’s desperate for the families waiting for that length of time for answers.”
She felt part of it was down to the resources in the Crown and Procurator Fiscal offices.
“There are FAIs coming through which have taken seven years,” she said.
“It takes far, far too long. I think the system is broken.”
As well as supporting bereaved families, Scottish Hazards also works with companies to improve health and safety.
“We would much rather do preventative work,” she said.
“Sadly, it is still necessary to do support work for those who are bereaved.”
