A solar company has been fined €100,000 for the death of a man in a work-related incident on a farm in Co. Louth in 2023.

Solar Power BK Ltd., was yesterday (Tuesday, July 9) fined a total of €100,000 by Judge Dara Hayes at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court, following a fatal work-related incident which occurred at Bellingham Farms at Milestown, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth on August 14, 2023.

The company’s director, Brian Kelly, was also fined a total of €10,000 and handed two eight-month suspended sentences running concurrently.

The accident resulted in an employee falling through a skylight on the roof of an agricultural building, landing on the concrete floor below.

Solar Power BK Ltd., had earlier pleaded guilty to four charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

The company pleaded guilty to Regulation 95(1)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (general Application) Regulations 2007, in that it failed to ensure that work at height being carried out was properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

The company also pleaded guilty under further regulations that it failed to manage and conduct work activities, in particular the installation of solar PV panels and to take measures to prevent employees from being exposed to falls from height.

The company director, Brian Kelly, pleaded guilty to four charges under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 in respect of the same four charges taken against the company.

The charges under the regulations relate to his failure in his responsibilities as a director of the company.

The accident resulted in an employee falling through a skylight on the roof of an agricultural building, landing on the concrete floor below.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) interim CEO, Mark Cullen said: "Working at height is an activity that all too often can lead to serious or fatal injuries, when the work is not properly planned and where appropriate collective control measures are not put in place to protect those carrying out the activity.

"The risk assessment will help identify the risks and the necessary control measures that are required to prevent people falling from a height.

"Directors of companies have a responsibility to ensure that the work undertaken by their employees is carried out safely."

The HSA has stated that failure to do so can result in employees receiving life-changing or fatal injuries.