The Evening Telegraph reports a WORKER has been criticized over “dangerous” work practices after a picture emerged of him in the bucket of heavy machinery.
The photograph shows a worker being elevated to a height in a tele- handler — a machine used widely in the building industry to lift heavy objects rather than people — to hang a flag on a flagpole.
The snap was taken at the Merchant Homes housing development Summerfield Park and is located on grassland to the north of Drumgeith Road and west of Summerfield Avenue.
George Ramsey, regional organiser for UCATT, said it was a “dangerous” move to have somebody standing in the bucket of a machine.
He said: “No, this is not normal practice as far as I’m concerned.
“You can clearly see just by looking at the photograph that it’s dangerous.
“There are no safe methods there in place. It’s not designed for someone to stand in, not from my experience of being in the building trade anyway.
“That is a telehandler that is being used. They lift objects, not people. They would normally lift up pallets with slates or something up to the roof of houses.”
The image emerged on social media.
George said he will now make efforts to talk to the bosses at the site to bring about a resolution to the situation.
He added: “I will have to go round to that site and find out what’s happening because it’s a concern.
“I’ve also heard of another incident in Carnoustie that was posted on Facebook.”
Councillors gave the 49-home housing scheme development project the green light in June 2014 with plans including new roads and up to 76 parking spaces.
A spokesperson for Merchant Homes said: “Health and safety and the welfare of our employees is of paramount importance to us. We take all issues regarding this very seriously and are currently addressing the matter raised.”
