Health & Safety Update (June 2010)

Are you in control of your contractors?

A college in London has been fined after a window cleaner fell four metres suffering broken ribs and a serious back injury.

The window cleaner was employed by a contracted company to clean windows at the College.

He accessed the roof of the main reception building using a ladder and leaned against the building to clean nearby windows, when he fell.

The ollege pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 at Lincoln Magistrates' Court today for failing to conduct a sufficient risk assessment. As well as the fine, the college was also ordered to pay prosecution costs.

They had a legal duty to check its contractors had proper procedures in place but failed to do so. Employers and organisations that hire contract staff have a joint responsibility to ensure the safety of all staff who work on site, to avoid serious incidents such as this.

Get control over your contractors activities - stop them if you are in doubt. Ask them for risk assessments and make sure they stick to them. Monitor them regularly. Contact your consultant or our 24/7 advice line for more information on how to proceed.