HSE urges employers to keep those working at height safe

Date:

27 October 2009

Release No:

HSE/EM09

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today prosecuted a Lincoln firm after one of its workers fell four metres from a roof, breaking eight ribs and sustaining a back injury.

James Theaker, 50, from Lincoln was employed by A Nicoll & Son Limited to clean windows at Lincoln College in Monks Road, Lincoln, when the incident happened on 4 November 2008.

Mr Theaker had climbed onto a flat roof at the college to clean the windows of a neighbouring building, when he over reached and fell.

A Nicoll & Son Limited of Crofton Drive, Allenby Road Industrial Estate, Lincoln today (27 October) pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 for failing to ensure cleaning work was properly planned and supervised. The company was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,948.20p in costs by Lincoln Magistrates' Court.

HSE Inspector Judith McNulty-Green said:

"More than 3,200 employees suffer from major injuries as a result of falls from height in the workplace each year.

"These injuries can shatter lives. It is crucial to remember that even when a risk assessment has taken place, it is only effective if the information is passed onto staff and supervision ensures that they undertake the work safely."

Notes to editors

1. Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 states: "Every employer shall ensure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe."
2. Information on working at height is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR East Midlands