Inquiry held into fish farm worker's death

A fish farm worker's death has shown how routine, low-level tasks could pose a risk to life, a sheriff has said.

Clive Hendry, 58, was crushed as he tried to move from a moving work boat to a salmon feed barge near Kyle of Lochalsh in February 2020.

Last year his employer Mowi Scotland was fined more than £800,000 after admitting to health and safety breaches.

Following a fatal accident inquiry (FAI), Sheriff Gary Aitken said it had been evident the emotional effect Mr Hendry's death had on the hearing's witnesses.

Mr Hendry's partner Catriona Lockhart had been calling for an FAI.

The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death and if any reasonable precautions could have been taken.

Mr Hendry, an assistant manager, died after stepping through an open gate on the boat to a ladder on the barge in a practice known as a touch and go transfer.

He was struck by the boat and ended up in the water.

A colleague grabbed Mr Hendry's lifejacket to try and stop him from falling into the loch, but he slipped out of the jacket and into the water.

He was submerged for about 20 seconds before being rescued.

Despite the efforts of colleagues, emergency services and medical staff, Mr Hendry could not be resuscitated.

In his determination, the sheriff said the accident had highlighted safety concerns including around work practices and the correct wearing of protective clothing.

He said: "The circumstances of Mr Hendry’s death serve to re-emphasise the well-known but oft forgotten point that routine, low-level, non-core activities can carry just as much risk and require just as much forethought as an unusual, out of the ordinary activity which is given special planning."

The sheriff added: "He was clearly very well thought of and respected by his colleagues and I have no doubt that he is still sorely missed by all who knew him."

Last May, Mowi Scotland was fined at Inverness Sheriff Court after admitting to health and safety breaches.

The court heard the company had failed to provide risk assessments, maintain a system of work and failed to provide supervision.

Mowi Scotland said the practices involved in the accident on Loch Alsh on 18 February 2020 were no longer used.