The truck, bus and plant division of the vehicle manufacturer Volvo has been fined £900,000 and ordered to pay costs of nearly £6,000 after one of its workers fell from a ladder and suffered life-changing injuries.
The employee was servicing a large delivery truck at the company’s premises in Warwick when he fell, struck his head and lost consciousness. He was rushed to hospital where he was put into a medically induced coma for two weeks while doctors tried to minimise the damage to his brain. He has not been able to return to work and still suffers from ongoing complications from the injury.
When the Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident they found that the step-ladder which the employee had been using was damaged and its anti-slip feet had worn out. It turns out that the ladder in question was not the property of Volvo, and had not been maintained or checked to ensure it was suitable for use. It transpires that Volvo UK had not, at the time, trained their staff to select, inspect and use access equipment for working at height.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Nick Wright said: “This worker suffered life changing injuries that could have been prevented by simple health and safety precautions. For two weeks his family was told to prepare for the worst as he was placed in an induced coma to help manage the swelling on his brain. This case is not about banning ladders, on many occasions they are the right equipment to use when working at height, it is about companies ensuring they properly maintain their work at height equipment and train their workers on how to inspect them and select the correct tools for the job. As this case shows, even a fall from a relatively small height can have devastating consequences.”
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident at work; whether from a slip or trip, or even a fall from height, you could well be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Our solicitors have many years of experience in handling cases like this, and so are best placed to help you get the pay out you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no obligation discussion about your case, and let’s see how we can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.