Wirral Council has been fined £6,000 after one of its employees suffered serious injuries in a fall from a stepladder. The worker broke ribs and fractured a collarbone after the ladder collapsed while they were attempting to access a loft space at the council-operated Dale Farm site in Heswall.
HSE investigation findings
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wirral Council 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. 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. It was also found that employees had not received training in relation to how to assess a ladder as being safe to use.
Court proceedings
The council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which 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."
The council was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on August 11.
Reaction to the fine
After the hearing HSE Inspector Mike Lisle said: "This worker suffered painful and life-changing injuries in a fall that could have been prevented. 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."
Responding to the fine, a Wirral Council spokesperson 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.”
