The case against the company was brought by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and followed an incident on June 26 2009 on a new waste water scheme at Bangor.

Part of the project involved the construction of a 6.4metre deep underground water collection chamber.

During the chamber construction, the access areas in the roof of the chamber were not adequately covered and the means of accessing it was inadequate.

During the course of the work a worker on the site fell into the chamber, receiving severe injuries to his head and spine which has left him in a complete paraplegic condition, with a traumatic brain injury.

After the hearing Kevin Campbell, an inspector with HSENI said “It is vital that companies identify and address hazards within the workplace.

“Falls from height must be prevented by the implementation of sensible and effective procedures.  These systems need to be communicated to the workforce, implemented, maintained, and updated when necessary.  Simple measures would have prevented workers on this project from falling.”