Heaton based firm DC Kennedy Homes have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £15,000, after the death of one of their workers.
Ian Smith fell to his death whilst working on a house building project for the firm, when the ladder that he was using gave way.
During the hearing at Manchester Crown Court, the jury heard how Mr Smith was working on the second floor of a newly built home, using just a ladder to reach the area, as stairs had not yet been installed.
The ladder, which should not have been used in the first instance, was not stable and was missing its vital rubber feet- a must for all ladders.
DC Kennedy Homes admitted their guilt, and admitted that they didn’t comply with Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
HSE Principal Inspector for Greater Manchester, Polly Tomlinson, stated:
“This was a tragic incident that could easily have been prevented if DC Kennedy Homes had put more thought into the safety of its employees.
“The ladder Ian Smith used was dangerous as the rubber feet were missing and it wasn’t tied to the wall to stop it slipping.”
“I hope this case will act as a warning to other house building companies to improve their safety standards, to prevent more people dying at work in the future.”
This latest incident yet again highlights the dangers that workers face when using ladders and working at heights, and shows the devastating consequences of what can happen when precautions are not taken.
