Worker severed artery falling from ladder

Carlisle Glass Ltd of Crown Street, Carlisle was also ordered to pay £1,100 costs after pleading guilty to a charge under Section 2 (1) of the Health and safety at Work Act, that it failed to ensure the safety at work of an employee.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned of the importance of proper training when using ladders following the case.

Magistrates heard how the company sent one of its employees to repair a broken window at a property in June last year. The worker had removed large pieces of broken glass and was using a hacking tool and a hammer to remove the old putty from the frame when the ladder slipped and he severed an artery and two tendons on his left hand.

Local HSE inspector Mhairi Duffy commented: "This was an entirely avoidable incident and the consequences could have been far worse. The injured person has undergone physiotherapy but still suffers some mobility loss and loss of grip."

She added: "The injured person had not received any training in the use of ladders and in this case more suitable access equipment should have been used. This prosecution should serve as a warning of the dangers working at height and to ensure that employers take their responsibilities seriously."

Carlisle Glass Ltd was also served with four 'prohibition notices' banning them from using ladders that were in poor condition and four 'improvement notices', one of which required the firm to carry out proper risk assessments for employees working at height.

Loss of sight

Meanwhile, in an entirely unrelated case, a company based in Gateshead has been fined £10,500 this week and ordered to pay £2,832 in costs following an incident which left one of its employees blind in one eye.

The HSE said the case highlighted how employers needed to properly maintain machinery and provide adequate training to workers.

Weldex UK Ltd pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations following the incident which happened in August, 2007.

Investigating HSE Inspector Martin Baillie said: "A worker was carrying out some grinding work when the grinding disc shattered and penetrated the visor he was wearing and hit him in the eye. As a result he has lost the sight in his left eye.

"Employers must prevent or control risks to people's health from equipment they use at work. All work equipment must be suitable for use, regularly maintained and inspected and only used by people who have received adequate training."