Glasgow City Council has been fined £80,000 after a military veteran sustained what have been described as “life-changing injuries” when he was struck by a falling lamppost, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The 50-year-old man, Colin Shaw, was standing at the roadside in conversation with a work colleague when the lamppost collapsed, striking him from behind and pinning him to the ground, the HSE said.
Overhead cables attached to the lamppost were then snagged by a passing motor vehicle, which dragged the collapsed lamppost over the man.
The incident occurred just after 4pm on 20 June 2023, on Bellshaugh Road in the city. As it was a school day, the area was busy with both adult and child pedestrians.
The man sustained severe, life-threatening and life-changing injuries, including multiple spinal, pelvic and rib fractures, an open leg fracture, and a fractured left ankle.
He spent seven weeks in hospital and has since undergone multiple surgeries, and continues to receive medical treatment. He now has reduced mobility and significant ongoing pain, the HSE said.
An investigation by the HSE established that the lamppost had structurally failed because of severe corrosion at its base.
Loss of steel thickness of at least 60% because of corrosion was measured, with many areas showing significantly greater loss. The lamppost, manufactured in the 1950s or 1960s, was well over twice its expected service life of 20-25 years, the HSE added.
During the last council inspection in March 2022, the column was identified as being in poor condition and scheduled it for replacement in April 2024.
However, HSE’s investigation found that the council’s inspection regime “failed to identify the extent of corrosion and the immediate risk of collapse. The visual inspections undertaken were inadequate in correctly identifying the condition of the column, the risk of failure and the action required.”
The council did not follow the established industry guidance, issued by the Institution of Lighting Professionals, HSE added, by not prioritising the removal of lighting columns assessed as being in poor condition relative to the consequence of their failure.
Following the incident, however, the council removed other similar lampposts with base embellishments from around Glasgow and has since updated its lighting maintenance procedures.
The council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £80,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 8 January, 2026.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Hazel Dobb said: “This incident in which a man sustained devastating, life-changing injuries should never have happened.
“The lamppost that struck him had been identified as being in poor condition, yet inadequate inspections failed to recognise that it was severely corroded and at immediate risk of collapse.
“This case is a stark reminder that local authorities and other duty holders must have effective systems in place to properly assess and manage the risks posed by ageing street infrastructure,” Dobb added.
In court, lawyer Colin Smith, for the council’s defence team, said: “I formally convey the council’s sincere apologies that this incident occurred, particularly that it resulted in such terrible injuries to Mr Shaw.
“At the time, if the council knew that the lamppost posed a risk then it would have been removed. The failure by an individual should not impugn the inspections in their generality,” he added.
Image: the severely corroded lamppost before its collapse, from the HSE
