Stepladder too short

Prosecutions and Claims |
01.05.2007

South London serviced-office provider Westmead Business Group has been fined £39 000 for failing to provide suitable equipment or safeguard employees' safety after maintenance engineer Paul Raggett fell from a ladder and broke his arm.

Environmental health officers from the London Borough of Sutton found Raggett was expected to work at height using a stepladder that was too short and badly worn. The company had no risk assessments, health and safety policy or training records. After council officers served a Prohibition Notice forbidding further maintenance work at height, Westmead's managing director Jay Dhamelia sent a memo around to the company's tenants saying the notice was "purely routine".