Painter died after losing his balance on a ladder

A painter and decorator died after losing his balance and falling from a ladder while painting the outside of a building, according to a fatal accident inquiry (FAI).

Eric McLeod, 72, died in hospital after the accident at Heatcare House in Lhanbryde, near Elgin, on 18 August 2020.

The FAI heard that his employer, Heatcare Oil and Gas Limited, had not expected him to be working at height and had instructed him not to do so.

Sheriff David Harvie recommended the company have in place an adequate risk assessed and documented system to monitor and supervise employees working on their own.

Mr McLeod used a three-stage ladder, placed on a flat roof single-storey extension, to reach a gable end on Heatcare's business premises.

He fell on to the flat roof and struck his head on a parapet wall.

Mr McLeod later died in hospital.

In his newly-published determination, the sheriff said he wished to express condolences and deepest sympathy to Mr McLeod’s family for their tragic loss.