Joiner died after fall caused by ladder detaching from roof at former Bragar school on Lewis

A joiner who fell after the hooks on a ladder he was on detached from the ridge of a building’s roof was injured by the incident and later died.

John Murray had been working on the renovation of a former primary school in Bragar on the Isle of Lewis in November 2019, when the accident happened.

He suffered head injuries and later died in hospital in Glasgow.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) was carried out to consider what steps could be taken to prevent further deaths in similar circumstances and was held following a specialist investigation by the Procurator Fiscal into Mr Murray’s death.

However, the inquiry was unable to find out what caused the ladder to detach.

The hearing was told the extendable ladder was appropriate for the job on the single-storey property.

It added that Mr Murray, from the Ness area of Lewis, had been a joiner all his working life and held a construction industry certification scheme’s gold card because of his level of experience.

He had been replacing slates on the sloping roof of the former school.

Sheriff Gordon Lamont made recommendations around improvements to construction site safety.

He said: “I would like to formally offer my sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to the family of Mr Murray for their unexpected, tragic loss.”

The sheriff said Mr Murray had been held highly regarded by his colleagues and employers.

Debbie Carroll, who leads on health and safety investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said Mr Murray had been carrying out a task appropriately with suitable equipment, free from defects, in compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.

She added: “Our thoughts are with Mr Murray’s family at this time.

“The procurator fiscal service will continue to keep in contact with the family and answer any questions they may have about the determination.”  