Health and safety uncertainty disrupts work

Construction on the Union Square mall has halted due to a misunderstanding about health and safety rules regulating the colour of hard hats, a source says.

Miller Construction employees were wearing headgear which Network Rail regulations state is the wrong colour for firms working near railway lines, the Daily Record reports.

Staff were stopped by rail officials who accused them of "failing to meet" safety requirements.

Contractors were moved from the site, a £250 million project in Aberdeen bordering a section of the track, until a set of blue safety helmets could be delivered.

The rail operator's regulations say those working close to railway lines can only wear white helmets if they have track safety certificates.

A spokesperson from the Health and Safety Executive states there is no legislation governing the colour of hard hats.

"We don't care if they are blue, white or even pink as long as they meet safety requirements and people don't get brained when something falls on them," the representative says.

Miller Construction is part of the UK's largest privately owned housebuilding, property development and construction company.