High-street store fined £25,000 for accident at work
A high-street store has been fined £25,000 in public liability charges, after an employee suffered an accident at work.
The maintenance manager of a Debenhams store in Warrington, was left with skull and spinal fractures personal injury, when he fell from a ladder.
He had been in the role for 15 years and was tasked with removing four chandeliers in the store on August 21st 2008. He managed to remove three, but whilst disconnecting the fourth he lost his footing and fell around 13 feet.
His injuries left him with multiple fractures which required surgery and he remained in hospital for 20 days.
The man aged 67 at the time of his work accident, was using a stepladder which only stood at 10feet, rather than using a mobile platform to reach the hanging lights. He also failed to close the area off to shoppers.
Considered to be an experienced member of staff, some argue that it was surprising that he did not ensure that the ladder was totally safe being using it to carry out the task.
Judge Stephen Clarke said: “Support clearly should have assessed the risk, those stepladders were clearly inadequate. Proper equipment was available. It is the responsibility of the company to ensure his safety – clearly the company accepts that.”
Updated on 1/27/2010