Employer fined after worker was injured in fall

Date:

24 March 2009

Release No:

COI/SE/0603

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging companies to follow safety procedures when working at height to protect staff from falls.

The call comes after the prosecution of Mr Andrew Howard of North Dean, High Wycombe, partner in the Beechdean Dairies partnership, yesterday, 23 March. The case was heard at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court following an incident where a worker fell from a ladder at Beechdean Dairies, North Dean High Wycombe on 19 June 2007.

Mr Howard pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000, plus a victim surcharge of £15.

The prosecution found that between 1 May 2007 and 19 June 2007 the Beechdean Dairies partnership did not ensure the health and safety of his employees when working at height, which lead to a member of staff being injured at work.

On 19 June 2007, an employee was felting a link roof and filling in gaps between the link roof, freezers and walls, when the ladder he was standing on slipped or fell and he fell. He broke both his wrists.

HSE Inspector, Kelly Nichols, said:
"Work at Height remains the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury.

"More workers are injured falling from a ladder than any other access equipment. In 2007/2008, 16 workers died and over 1,100 suffered major injury following a fall from a ladder.

"Half of 'falls' injuries occur during building and plant maintenance activities. With proper planning and sensible management of the risks the vast majority of deaths and injuries from a fall at work can be avoided."

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably
   practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.
2. More information about working safely at height can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR (London & South East).