Workplace watchdog the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has ruled out an investigation after a crane crashed through the ceiling of a Perth school.
A week after The Courier revealed details of the dramatic incident, contractors have insisted “these things happen”.
A worker on the site also described the gaping hole in the roof at Kinnoull Primary as “superficial” and declined to put a price on the cost to repair it.
Morrison Construction is carrying out a £2 million upgrade of the school but the project suffered a setback when the five tonne forklift’s telescopic arm tore through the ceiling on Tuesday May 7.
A spokeswoman for the firm later described the incident “minor” and insisted the vehicle was merely “leaning against” the building.
She could not be reached for further comment this week but a worker at the site, who asked not to be named, confirmed the machine has now been removed from the school and the refurbishment has resumed.
“These things happen on building sites,” he said. “Any damage is superficial. It looked worse than it was. The whole site is being fully refurbished anyway.”
The construction worker also revealed an internal investigation has finished but he would not be drawn on the outcome.
“The people who need to know already know what happened,” he told The Courier. The outcome is something that has been told to the guys.
“I don’t think the people of Perth care very much why it happened. They will only care whether anyone was hurt. The important thing is no one was hurt and we’re very glad about that.”
The Courier has also learned the HSE has ruled out an investigation because teachers and pupils were decanted to Inchview Primary weeks before the incident.
A spokeswoman said: “We made some initial inquiries and it was confirmed that there was no risk to pupils or the public, therefore it is not a reportable incident and we won’t be investigating.”
The refurbishment is due to be completed in December. The Courier made repeated attempts to contact Morrison Construction but the firm did not respond.