Table of Contents
Wirral Council has been fined £6,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries when a stepladder collapsed while he was working at a council-operated site.
As reported by Birkenhead News, the worker was trying to access a loft space at Dale Farm in Heswall. He was nearing the top of the stepladder when it gave way, making him fall to the ground. The man suffered fractured ribs and a broken collarbone.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the council had allegedly failed to control the risks that come with working at height and when using ladders to do so.
What inspectors discovered was that ladder use was not effectively controlled at the site. This is because the ladders were known and identified to be unsafe, in bad condition, and unfit for use. However, they remained accessible and in place for any employee to use. Reportedly, staff weren't trained on how to assess if a ladder was safe to use.
Wirral Council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Warrington Magistrates' Court on 11 August. The council was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs.
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."
He added: "Employers should ensure suitable equipment is properly maintained, workers are trained, and robust arrangements are in place for all work at height activities."
