Failure to undertake a proper risk assessment and use the correct access equipment has resulted in a property maintenance firm being fined £7,000 at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
Charles Foster suffered multiple broken bones in October 2015 after falling 3 metres from a ladder while painting exterior metal cladding in Glenrothes.
The court heard that a mobile access tower or mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) would have been a more appropriate piece of access equipment to use.
According to the Access Industry Forum (AIF), the incident highlights yet again the importance of ensuring that any work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by a competent person using the correct equipment determined by a thorough risk assessment.
‘Carry out a risk assessment and always act on its outcome’ says the Forum.
A free PocketCard giving basic information on What to watch when working at height is available to download here.
