30.03.2007

Fall costs container manufacturer £11,600

Bradgate Containers was hit with £11,600 of fines, compensation and costs for contravening the work at height rules, this week after an employee fell off a ladder.

Bradgate Containers Ltd of Leicester Road, Shepshed was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay a further £5,000 in compensation plus £1,587 in costs for contravening the work at height rules.

Welder Richard Brooks, 59, from Shepshed sustained severe head injuries when he landed on the concrete yard surface on the 18th September 2006.

His fall involved an unsecured aluminium ladder, which was being used as a working place for welding during the building of large shipping containers for generators and other equipment.

Roger Amery, HSE Inspector, who prosecuted said:
"These injuries could so easily have been avoided. Health and safety law is not about doing unnecessary stuff; it is about being wise before the event and prioritising risk control effort on the issues that really matter. Falls from height are one of the most common causes of injury and are easily preventable.

This is a good firm and an important local manufacturer, but they just didn't have their eye on the ball. The sad consequence was damage to Mr Brooks' brain, a period of great distress for his family and an upsetting time for his workmates at Bradgates; along with harm to this company's reputation.

"The accident was typical of the type of preventable falls which remain all too common. Had there been a proper plan for this manufacturing work and had good access equipment been in place then this accident would not have happened*.

"An untied aluminium ladder resting on a metal edge is a recipe for disaster. Employers and employees must work together in order to stamp out this sort of thing.