Construction firm fined over worker's death
February 1st 15:15 Health and Safety
The importance of effective facilities management on construction sites has been highlighted yet again after another example of the UK's biggest cause of work-related deaths.
Bolton-based house builder DC Kennedy Homes has been fined £7,500 and ordered to pay a further £7,500 in costs after an unstable ladder lead to the death of employee Ian Smith.
Mr Smith fell to his death as workers were made to use an unsecured ladder to reach the first floor of a house after the firm allowed work to commence prior to the construction of the stairs.
The firm was handed the fine by Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE principal inspector for Greater Manchester Polly Tomlinson, said: "This was a tragic incident that could easily have been prevented if DC Kennedy Homes had 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."
