Wills - Latest News 20 August 2008

Worker handed £10,000 after step-ladder fall- 10/04/2008[top]

An employee who fell from a step-ladder that was stood on an uneven surface has been handed a £10,000 payout after an investigation undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Mark Lowen, from Leicester, was fitting a new extraction system at a joinery company in Norfolk when the accident occurred, causing him severe back damage which resulted from him being off work for four months.

Leicester-based Air Plant Dust Extraction was fined £5,000 and told to pay £5,147 costs, at Norwich Magistrates Court.

The HSE found that a proper risk assessment had not been carried out and Mr Lowen had not been trained properly at working from heights.

HSE Inspector, Joanne Williams commented: "I hope this prosecution makes it clear to employers that they need to properly manage the risks of working at height and that HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in such a way."

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