Health and Safety Failings – Construction firm fined after ladder fall

Construction firm fined after ladder fall

Key Facts:

• A construction firm have been prosecuted after a worker fell from a ladder whilst attempting to repair a scrolling billboard.
• The employee broke his arm and pelvis in the incident.
• The company were fined £12,000, costs of £3,201.40 and a victim surcharge of £140.

The Case:

An investigation was launched into a construction firm’s health and safety practices after a worker was injured in a fall from height.

On the day of the incident (6 December 2013) the construction was using a ladder to repair a scrolling billboard. He fell from the ladder, and broke his arm and pelvis.

The case was heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 1 April 2015, where the firm pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were subsequently fined £12,000, costs of £3,201.40 and a victim surcharge of £140.

Whilst safe work at height has come a long way in recent years, this incident demonstrates that there is still work to be done in the area. The construction industry remains a high risk industry, and one in need of attention. Although it accounts for only around 5% of employees in Britain, in 2013/14 it accounted for 31% of fatal injuries and 10% of major/specified injuries. Further information on the construction industry can be found here.

What the law states:

Regulation of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 states that:

Every employer shall ensure that work at height is— (a) properly planned; (b) appropriately supervised; and (c) carried out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe, and that its planning includes the selection of work equipment in accordance with regulation 7.

Further information on safe work at height can be found here.

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