Waterford Company fined €150,000 after worker struck and killed by large portion of masonry from a wall

Friday 6th June 2025

On Thursday 5th of June, at Waterford Central Court, Judge Eugene O'Kelly imposed a fine of €150,000 on Causeway Facilities Management Ltd. of Old Kilmeaden Road, Co. Waterford, who had earlier pleaded guilty to charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.

The case arose following the Authority’s investigation of an accident that occurred on the 12th December 2016, Mr Alois Makarov, an employee of Causeway Facilities Management Ltd, was struck by a large portion of masonry from a wall under demolition in Waterford City and died on site as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Causeway Facilities Management Limited, pleaded guilty to failing to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of employees in breach of Section 8(1) of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 as it relates to Section 8(2)(a) of the said Act and contrary to Sections 77 (2)(a) and 78 (2) of the Safety Health and Welfare of Work Act 2005; The particulars being failing to have any or any adequate exclusion area for the demolition of the concrete block wall which was being carried out at a premises on Parnell Street, Waterford, it being a place of work under their control. It was on this charge that the judge imposed a fine of €150,000.

Causeway Facilities Management Limited, also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that two persons in their employment on or about the 12th day of December 2016 at a premises on Parnell Street, Waterford, which place being a place of work under their control and being works to whom Regulation 4(2) of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 applied, were in possession of a valid Safety Awareness Registration Card referred to in Schedule 4 of the said Regulations, namely a Safe Pass Registration Card, thus being in breach of Regulation 25(1)(a) of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. Contrary to Section 77(2)(c) of the Safety Health and Welfare Act 2005, this charge was taken into account.

Mark Cullen, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said,

"Employers are obligated to ensure that workers do not suffer injury or ill-health as a result of their work. Failure to do so in this case has tragically led to the fatality of a worker. Demolition work is a high-risk activity, and it is vital that employers carry out a risk assessment and provide an adequate exclusion zone to ensure all employees are protected. We urge employers to have a safe system of work in place and clearly communicate it to all workers."