Liversedge Decorating Contractors Ltd, of Huddersfield, have been fined £2,000 after a worker suffered brain damage, which was sustained after a fall from a ladder.
Trevor Dawson was working for the company- which is owned by Paul Daniel and Clive Dewhirst- when he fell from an unstable ladder when painting a student house.
Huddersfield Magistrates Court recently heard how the accident, which occurred in August 2007, was not seen by any witnesses, although they did conclude that the company was guilty of failing to provide workers with suitable equipment and not supervising workers correctly.
It was found that both regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and regulation 22 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 were breached.
Shortly after the hearing, HSE Inspector, David Stewart, commented:
“The ladder used, which we believe may have caused or contributed to his fall, was simply not suitable for the work he was doing. It was a domestic step ladder which should not have been allowed on the site.
“In this situation, a tower scaffold would have been much more appropriate.
“Falls from height remain the single most common cause of fatality and serious injury in the construction industry. The law is quite clear and HSE provides freely-available guidance on how work at height should be managed.
“This case should send a clear message to company directors about their responsibilities for health and safety.”
This case once again highlights the sheer importance of using appropriate ladders when working at heights.
