A roofing company has been fined for safety failings after a worker fell to his death from an unsuitable and poorly maintained ladder whilst undertaking roofline repairs at a two storey domestic property in Milton Keynes on 14th January 2012. The self employed sub-contractor fell 5 metres to the ground sustaining a fatal head injury.

The company was prosecuted on 20th November 2013 by the HSE after finding that there were serious concerns with work equipment.

Evidence from the investigation found that the exact circumstances were unclear but the sub-contractor fell due to failing to maintain a secure contact with the ladder and the building as he was working. The ladder was found to be in-appropriate for the intended purpose and that a more rigid system should have been supplied i.e. a tower scaffold. Inspectors also found that the ladder had damaged rungs and missed footers. If the ladder had been included in a regular inspection regime the incident may not have occurred.

The roofing company was fined a total of £11,672 after pleading guilty to several breaches of Health & Safety Law including two breaches of the Work At Height Regulations 2005.

A message to come away from this horrific accident is that all ladders and access equipment must be included on a strict inspection and maintenance regime which is recorded.

Download a Free HSS Health & Safety Services Ladder Inspection Record from our Download Page – Click here to be sent to the page