Wirral Council has been fined £6,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries when a stepladder collapsed beneath him.
The employee was attempting to access a loft space at the Council operated Dale Farm site in Heswall, Wirral, when the incident occurred.
As he neared the top of the stepladder, it gave way, causing him to fall to the ground. He suffered a fractured collarbone and broken ribs.
HSE identifies safety failures
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wirral Council had had failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees by not adequately controlling the risks associated with working at height and the use of ladders.
The investigation identified failures in the Council’s management of work at height activities, including inadequate controls around ladder use.
Unsafe ladders remained accessible
Ladders that had been identified as being in a poor state of repair and unsafe to use remained in place and accessible to employees.
HSE also found that employees had not received training on how to assess whether a ladder was safe to use.
HSE guidance, produced in partnership with the Ladder Association, sets out practical steps employers should take to ensure ladders are used safely at work. Further HSE guidance outlines measures employers should take to prevent falls while working at height.
Council fined £6,000
Wirral MBC pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The Council was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 11 August.
HSE Inspector Mike Lisle said: “This worker suffered painful and life-changing injuries in a fall that could have been prevented.
“The council failed to put in place basic measures to manage the risks associated with working at height. Employees had not received suitable training and ladders were not being systematically inspected to ensure they were safe.
“Employers should ensure suitable equipment is properly maintained, workers are trained and robust arrangements are in place for all work at height activities.”
