Safety Signs News

Building firm fined after steeplejack's 8 metre fall

3rd March 2011 | Warning Signs

Posted by Ben Alexander

A building firm has been fined after a steeplejack was seriously injured after falling from a church roof, highlighting the importance of warning signs when working at height.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Stoke-on-Trent-based Alliance Technical Services, following the incident in October 2009.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates' Court heard the 40-year-old employee, who does not want to be named, was fixing tiles on the roof of the church when the securing that wedded his ladders to the church masonry gave way.

The man fell eight metres to the ground, suffering a spinal fracture, breaking both his ankles and wrist and spending three weeks in hospital. He has not been able to go back to work since.

Alliance Technical Services was fined £3,334 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Keiron Jones said when work at height is being carried out, firms should ensure it is properly planned and equipment properly secured.

"In this case Alliance Technical Services failed to provide the necessary training and instruction to their workforce to allow them to install and test the anchors correctly," he said.

"This resulted in a completely avoidable and very serious disabling injury to one of their workers."

Recently, A Devon farm was fined £8,000 after a worker fell about 12ft through a roof, breaking his collarbone.ADNFCR-2754-ID-800440229-ADNFCR

RESULTS: 4475 PRODUCTS

There are no results for this search

RESULTS: 4475 PRODUCTS

Related Articles


Add £50 for a 5% discount

Customer Feedback:

Safety Signs products and graphics © 2009-2024 Viking Signs Ltd. eCommerce website © 2009-2024 Mew Media Ltd.