Contractor to be prosecuted for death of security guard

AN Office of Public Works (OPW) contractor is to be prosecuted over the death of a security guard following a Health and Safety Authority (HSA) investigation.

Nigerian security guard, Michael Atewojaye, was found dead on an OPW site close to Drogheda on October 11 last.

The body of Mr Atewojaye was discovered slumped in the seat of a dumpster inside a 40-foot storage container. Initial reports suggested he had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The HSA last night confirmed that a file on the case had been forwarded to the State Prosecution Service. The HSA said it could not, for legal reasons, name the contractor to be prosecuted.

Mr Atewojaye worked for local security firm JB Security while it is understood the container in which he died belonged to an OPW building contractor. Neither company could last night be contacted for comment.

Five security guards have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in as many years after using gas heaters or fuel generators in confined spaces a practice banned by health and safety regulations.

On the night of October 10, Mr Atewojaye was the sole guard on duty at Oldbridge House, an OPW site outside Drogheda. It is understood he died from carbon monoxide poisoning after inhaling fumes from a petrol generator stored in the container.

It is thought that, suffering from cold, Mr Atewojaye may have gone into the container to keep warm as there was no heating in the site's staff canteen.