A scaffolding firm has been fined £5,000 by Watford Magistrates’ Court after the HSE found the company to be in breach of health and safety after a painter and decorator fell from an unprotected ladder breaking his arm and dislocating his shoulder.
Watford Magistrates’ Court heard how the self-employed painter and decorator suffered a fractured arm and dislocated shoulder after he lost his footing and stumbled through an unprotected ladder opening. Mr Currie was working on the third level of the scaffolding, which was erected by a firm in Primrose Hill, north London who’d been sub-contracted to erect scaffolding around a four-storey block of flats to allow decorators to repaint windows and woodwork.
The Health and Safety Executive found there were no preventative measures, such as protected ladder traps or guardrails, to prevent a fall from one level to another, and that access ladders between each level were too short and did not provide suitable handholds.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Rauf Ahmed, said:
This incident was entirely preventable. This case highlights the importance of scaffolding companies arranging ladder access openings between scaffold levels in such a way to prevent falls, and provide ladders of a sufficient length to offer suitable handholds above landing places.
“Falls from height continue to be the largest cause of fatalities and serious injury.”
If you have been injured in an accident at work, get in touch with our personal injury team about a possible claim for compensation. Complete one of our claim forms or call 0800 028 2060 and speak to us about a no win no fee claim for compensation.