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Anchor failure and fall caused by incorrect installation and testing
Alliance Technical Services Ltd, a building maintenance firm from Stoke-on-Trent has been fined after a steeplejack fell 8m from a church roof and suffered serious injury in October 2009.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates’ Court heard the man was repairing tiles on the church roof when an anchor securing his ladders to the church masonry suddenly gave way.
He fell about eight metres to the ground, suffering serious injuries including a spinal fracture, two broken ankles and a broken wrist. He spent three weeks in hospital and has not been able to return to work since the incident.
Workmen not provided with necessary training
Alliance Technical Services pleaded guilty today to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £3,334 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Keiron Jones said:
“When carrying out building repairs at height, companies should always ensure the work is properly planned and that ladders are properly secured.
In this case Alliance Technical Services failed to provide the necessary training and instruction to their workforce to allow them to install and test the anchors correctly.
This resulted in a completely avoidable and very serious disabling injury to one of their workers.”