Working at height failings leads to fine

Businesses across the country have been reminded that correct regulations must be followed when employees are working at height.

The warning follows the prosecution of maintenance firm Canova UK, for allowing workers to work at height without the necessary systems in place.

The Wirral-based firm allowed its workers to stand on the sloping roof of a bungalow, more than four feet in the air, whilst they power-washed the roof. The workers were not protected by any scaffolding, edge protection or warning signs to prevent them from having an accident.

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Wirral Magistrates' Court and was fined £2,000, along with costs of £1,500.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Michael Hodge said, "If either of the workers had slipped and fallen, they would have been seriously injured or even killed. We therefore had no other choice but to prosecute the company."

According to HSE figures, more than 4,000 employees suffered serious injuries as a result of falls from height. Businesses have been advised to ensure health and safety signage, appropriate harnesses and scaffolding are in place if workers are undertaking any work at height.