Council hit with £6,000 fine after workplace stepladder accident

The employee was attempting to access a loft space on Dale Farm in Heswall, Wirral, when he fell. He suffered a fractured collarbone and broken ribs.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the event, which found that the council had failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees by not adequately controlling the risks associated with working at height and the use of ladders.

The investigation identified failures in the council’s management of work at height activities.

According to the workplace safety regulator, ladder use was not effectively controlled, and despite identifying ladders that were not in a good state of repair and unsafe to use, they remained in place, accessible to any employee who wanted to use them.

Furthermore, employees had not received training on how to assess a ladder as being safe to use, it said.

At Warrington Magistrates' Court, the council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Section 2(1) mandates that employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.

Wirral was handed a £6,000 fine and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Mike Lisle said: “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.

“Employers should ensure suitable equipment is properly maintained, workers are trained and robust arrangements are in place for all work at height activities.”

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “The council entered a guilty plea to the charge at the earliest opportunity and immediately put in place an action plan to address the shortcomings identified. This has now been fully implemented.

“We are grateful to the court for giving due consideration to the council’s supporting submissions and its full compliance with the prosecution process and that that has been reflected in the financial penalties imposed.”

Adam Carey