Working at height failings leads to fine
Businesses across the country have been reminded that correct
regulations must be followed when employees are working at
height.
The warning follows the prosecution of maintenance firm Canova
UK, for allowing workers to work at height without the necessary
systems in place.
The Wirral-based firm allowed its workers to stand on the
sloping roof of a bungalow, more than four feet in the air, whilst
they power-washed the roof. The workers were not protected by any
scaffolding, edge protection or warning signs to prevent them from
having an accident.
The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work
at Height Regulations 2005 at Wirral Magistrates' Court and was
fined £2,000, along with costs of £1,500.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Michael Hodge said,
"If either of the workers had slipped and fallen, they would have
been seriously injured or even killed. We therefore had no other
choice but to prosecute the company."
According to HSE figures, more than 4,000 employees suffered
serious injuries as a result of falls from height. Businesses have
been advised to ensure health and safety signage, appropriate
harnesses and scaffolding are in place if workers are undertaking
any work at height.