Airport admits safety failures in court after worker's death

The Herald Scotland

26-06-2025

Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ltd admitted to failing to ensure that work equipment was maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair, ultimately leading to Joseph Dempsey's death on January 11, 2023.
The 59-year-old dad-of-two, known as Joe, had been employed as a ground handling operative and died after suffering serious injuries when he fell around 10 feet onto the tarmac from a loading platform.
Joe Dempsey (Image: Facebook) Ayr Sheriff Court heard that Mr Dempsey had raised concerns with colleagues moments before the tragic accident that a guardrail had not been in the correct position.
A Crown prosecutor told the hearing: "Joseph, known as Joe, Dempsey was aged 59. He was widowed and a father to an adult son and daughter. He worked as a ground handling operative for over 15 years.
"The incident occurred on Apron Alpha, one of several aircraft parking aprons at the airport; large areas of airport tarmac with numbered aircraft parking positions known as stands, for boarding/deboarding passengers and loading or unloading cargo.
"The platform is part of a Trepel 'Champ 300' pallet container loader, manufactured by Trepel Airport Equipment, sold as new to Prestwick Airport in 2005. The loader is one of three in operation at the airport for cargo pallets and containers.
"Mr Dempsey had previously been trained in the operation of a variety of airport equipment and was fully trained.
"On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Mr Dempsey started his shift at 7am. He was due to work until 5pm. At approximately 11.45am a scheduled Boeing 747-8F cargo aircraft operated by Cargolux pulled in after landing.
"The large, wide-bodied aircraft visits several times a week.
Prestwick Airport (Image: Wikimedia Commons) "Mr Dempsey drove the loader platform slowly to the open cargo hold and raised the front platform. Once in position with stabilisers deployed, Mr Dempsey was joined by two other airport operatives to assist unloading.
"He attempted to extend the front left guardrail manually, stating to his colleague that it was not in the right position. Whilst Mr Dempsey was attempting to extend the guardrail it suddenly gave way.
"He fell forwards from the platform to the tarmac, approximately 10 feet below, landing on his left side."
The court heard that co-workers "immediately went to his assistance". However, Mr Dempsey was observed to have sustained a serious head injury.
He was given CPR and life support by emergency services, but sadly, efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.
The procurator fiscal depute said he was pronounced dead around an hour later.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive identified failings on the part of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, with regard to the inspection and maintenance of the loading platform and the related failure of part of the guardrail which gave way due to significant corrosion.
A post-mortem confirmed the cause of Mr Dempsey's death to be head and chest injuries due to a fall from height.
There were "visible signs of significant corrosion and discoloured flaking white paint around the area of failure" post-accident, upon the tubular guardrail post and support.
The bolt securing the fractured front guardrail post to the post support appeared to be new in comparison to the securing bolt.
The Crown narration added: "That bolt showed signs of corrosion and the rear post, while intact, showed areas of flaking paint exposing bare metal and included an area of welding in the same areas where the failure occurred in the front post.
"The two welded sections were not a design feature of the original guardrail manufactured by Trepel. It is therefore considered likely that the incident guardrail had been modified or repaired while under the ownership of Prestwick Airport.
"The welds on both front and rear post contained defects such as lack of fusion, incomplete weld penetration and the presence of large voids. Cracks and open defects would enable ingress of moisture creating a corrosive environment accelerating degradation.
"The most significant loss due to corrosion was found on internal surfaces of the top sections of tubing above the weld on both front and rear posts of the guardrail. Forty per cent material loss created significant weakening in the critical area, due to bending stresses.
"The same location showed cracking and peeling of the paint as well as corrosion of the external surface, which should have warranted a focused inspection or replacement."
Glasgow Prestwick Airport Limited's defence solicitor told the court they had cooperated fully with investigations, were "entirely contrite" and had since updated health and safety procedures.
It was stated in court that the company recorded a £50 million turnover for the year ending March 31, 2024.
Sheriff Mhari MacTaggart decided to defer sentencing until a later date to give the "important matter serious consideration".
Prestwick Airport has been approached for comment.