When (again) the absence of a ladder inspection is identified as the cause of accident
What happened?
A 57 year-old worker was cleaning the cant rail of a curtain side trailer that had just been manufactured.
Whilst using stepladders positioned on top of the trailer to reach the work, the employee pulled the steps further down the trailer to clean the next section. As he climbed up the steps they started to wobble causing him to fall out of the trailer onto the floor, landing on his head.
The HSE’s investigation found that there was no ladder inspection regime in place and the equipment being used was not in good working order.
The Chair of the Ladder Association’s Training Committee, commented: “It is clear from this case that the ladder in question was not fit for use. This unfortunate accident could have been avoided if the company had carried out the correct ladder inspections; detailed recorded visual inspections should be carried out regularly by a competent person, and pre-use checks should be carried out by the competent user before using a ladder.
With regards to inspection by a competent person, we firmly believe that training can help to prove competence as required by the Work at Height Regulations. It is imperative that companies who use ladders in the workplace, assign the role of inspection to a person (or persons) who have the necessary training, skills, experience and knowledge. By doing so, there is much greater likelihood that accidents such as this, can be avoided.”
Legal Outcome
The trailer manufacturer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £172,500.00 and ordered to pay £12,202.69 in costs.
What can we learn from what happened?
The Ladder Association quote says it all really. Ladders and stepladders must be in good condition, must be checked by a competent person (and this is an opportunity to reiterate that, as stated, competence is a combination of ‘necessary training, skills, experience and knowledge’), and must be visually checked before use. Competence, competence, competence.
Working at height will always be hazardous, but there is no point making it any riskier than it has to be by using unsafe equipment.
Source of Information
SHP Online