The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a firm of builders in Bolton, Lancashire after a 64-year-old construction worker fell to his death.

In December 2007, Ian Smith was working at height on a ladder at a site where six new semi-detached houses were being built in Dale Gardens, Easedale Road in Bolton.

Mr Smith fell 5 metres from the unstable ladder.

The HSE investigation found that the building contractor, DC Kennedy Homes, had allowed work to be carried out on the first and second floors of the house before the stairs had been installed. The ladder being used to reach the second floor had not been secured and fitted with rubber feet, inspectors found.

On Friday (29/01/10) at Manchester Crown Court, DC Kennedy Homes of Ladybridge Lane, Bolton, Lancashire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure Mr Smith’s safety. The company was fined £7,500 with £7,500 costs.

After the hearing, the HSE’s principal inspector for Manchester, Polly Tomlinson, said the accident that killed Mr Smith could have been prevented easily had DC Kennedy Homes ‘put more thought into the safety of its employees’.

‘The ladder Ian Smith used was dangerous, as the rubber feet were missing and it wasn’t tied to the wall to stop it slipping,’ said Ms Tomlinson.

‘But, more importantly, Mr Smith should never have been expected to use a ladder in the first place,’ she added.

‘If the work had been planned properly, the stairs would have been fitted before work was carried out on the first and second floors of the house. Instead, Mr Smith had to use a ladder to access the second floor, putting his life at risk.

Other employees were also put in danger by the unprotected open edges,’ said Ms Tomlinson – who added that she hoped the outcome of the prosecution would act as a warning to other companies to improve safety standards in the construction industry and prevent further deaths in the workplace.

‘The prosecution is being highlighted ahead of the launch of HSE’s national Shattered Lives campaign [on 1 February], which is urging companies to take simple steps to prevent serious injuries from slips, trips and falls,’ Ms Tomlinson said.

The HSE says that falls from height are the biggest single cause of workplace deaths in the UK. More information about preventing injuries is available at www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives.

© 5r1 Limited 2010