Construction company Mivan Ltd yesterday admitted an offence arising out of the collapse of a hoist which led to five workmen being seriously injured.
The accident happened during the refurbishment of the former Co-op building, at York Street, Belfast, in October, 1993. One of the injured is now confined to a wheelchair and another lost a leg.
At Belfast Magistrates Court, Mivan, of Crumlin, Co Antrim, admitted failing to ensure the safety of its employees by permitting the hoist to be overloaded.
The summons was brought by the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate of the Department of Economic Development.
Last November, the supplier of the hoist, Elevation Equipment Ltd, was fined £1,000 for failing to state its correct carrying capacity.
Magistrate Mervyn Bates said Mivan did not bear the lion's share of responsibility for the accident. He believed Mivan fulfilled its responsibility to a considerable degree, by employing an expert company to provide equipment.
He fined Mivan £300 and ordered it to pay costs of £3,900. Elevation was also ordered to pay £3,900 costs.