£40k Fine for Food Company Following Ladder Fall

A manufacturer based in Gwynedd was prosecuted in late April following a 2020 incident that saw a worker sustain multiple fractures after falling from a ladder.

The case was heard at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court and detailed the incident in April 2020. The worker was installing a security camera on the outside of a building using an unsecured ladder, when it slipped, causing him to fall approximately 15 ft. The worker sustained multiple fractures to his right arm, cheekbone, left leg and dislocation of his backbone.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), carried out an investigation of the incident and found that the manufacturing business had failed to properly plan the work at height, and that no alternative access equipment had been considered that would have allowed for safe work at height.

No training had been provided to the injured worker or others in relation to work at height, and the company had failed to ensure that work was effectively monitored. Had this been carried out it would have identified issues in the company’s practices with regards to working at height.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £40,000 plus costs of £5,344.30.

Ensuring that work at height is carried out by qualified and trained professionals is critical, as is using the most appropriate equipment, and ensuring that working practices are monitored to check effectiveness.

If you are looking for support to ensure your workforce is operating safely at height, speak to the SIMIAN team today.