Safety Signs News

Businessman fined after worker breaks back

3rd February 2011 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Ben Alexander.

A Lancashire business man has been fined £4,000 after one of his workers fell off a ladder and broke his back, highlighting the importance of safety signs.

The employee climbed up a ladder at a vehicle garage in Leyland in March last year when the ladder slipped, causing him to break a vertebrae in his spine.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Michael Wilson, trading as M Wilson Commercials, after finding the ladder had missing feet at both ends, a damaged bottom rung and looked as though it had been cut off at the top.

In addition to the fine, Mr Wilson was ordered to pay costs of £2,000.

"One of Mr Wilson's employees was badly injured because he was given an unsafe ladder to use. It should have been checked in advance to make sure it was suitable," HSE inspector Matt Lea said after the hearing.

"The employee had not received any training on working at height or with ladders, despite regularly needing to do it as part of his job. He therefore simply used the nearest available ladder."

On average, more than 1,200 people suffer major injuries after falling from ladders in workplaces in Britain, data from the regulator shows. ADNFCR-2754-ID-800382764-ADNFCR