School fined after worker falls from ladder

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 19 February 2019, the injured person was using an unsecured ladder at the school to dismantle a canopy roof when the ladder slipped, causing the worker to fall and sustain fractures to his face,  a fractured femur and other injuries.

An investigation by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the school did not have a risk assessment or safe system for dismantling the canopy roof which resulted in the work being conducted unsafely. No assessment was made as to the fragility of the roof before accessing it,  suitable equipment was not provided, the injured person was not trained and the  work was not supervised. The investigation also found that other work at height at the school was also carried out without specific planning, supervision and was not carried out safely.

Southend High School for Boys Academy Trust of Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff On Sea, Essex pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,446.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Eleanor Kinman said, “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the serious injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”