NEWS
W
estminster Magistrates’ Court heard how a
worker was servicing a large delivery truck and
repairing the driver’s access rope for the cab
when he fell, striking his head and losing consciousness.
He was placed in a medically induced coma for two-weeks.
He still suffers from ongoing complications and has been
unable to return to work.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) found the step ladder that the worker was using
was damaged and its anti-slip feet were worn. It was not
Volvo property and had not been maintained or checked to
ensure it was suitable for use. At the time of the incident on
17 September 2015, Volvo UK had not trained their staff to
select, inspect and use access equipment for work at height.
Volvo Group UK Limited, Wedgnock Lane, Warwick,
pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health
and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £900,000
and ordered to pay costs of £5820.28, with a £150 victim
surcharge.
HSE inspector Nick Wright said:
“This worker suffered life changing injuries that
could have been prevented by simple health and safety
precautions. For two weeks his family were told to prepare
for the worst as he was placed in an induced coma to help
manage the swelling on his brain.
“This case is not about banning ladders - on many
occasions they are the right equipment to use when
working at height - it is about companies ensuring they
SUSPENDED PRISON
SENTENCE AFTER MAN
IS KILLED AND ANOTHER
INJURED BY COWS
A farmer based near Bradford on Avon
has been fined after two members of
the public were attacked and injured,
one fatally, by cows in a field.
8
HSE INTERNATIONAL
VOLVO SENTENCED
AFTER WORKER’S
FALL CAUSES HEAD
INJURIES
The national truck, bus and plant
division of Volvo has been fined
£900,000 after one of their workers
fell and suffered head injuries.
properly maintain their work at height equipment and train
their workers on how to inspect them and select the correct
tools for the job. As this case shows, even a fall from a
relatively small height can have devastating consequences.”
On the announcement of the prosecution, Martin Brooke,
Chairman of the Ladder Association, commented:
“Just because it’s a simple stepladder doesn’t mean it
hasn’t got to be regularly inspected and maintained like
any other piece of access equipment. In fact, the Work at
Height Regulations demand this.
“As the case demonstrates, a straightforward, systematic
approach to checking and recording the condition of
ladders and stepladders can play a significant part in
reducing falls from height.
“Ladders and stepladders are a sensible choice to
safely access work at height that is low risk and of short
duration. However, the Ladder Association is unequivocal
in its advice that, like any other work at height equipment,
people must be trained to inspect and use the equipment
safely.”
Swindon Crown Court heard how brothers Mike and John
Porter were walking on a public footpath which passed
through a field where cows with calves were grazing. The
cows belonged to a local farmer named Brian Godwin.
The brothers had with them two dogs on leads when
they were attacked by the cows. The incident was the fourth
in five years involving injuries to members of the public
caused by Mr Godwin’s cattle.
Mike Porter, 66, from Edinburgh suffered fatal internal
bleeding from crush injuries caused by cattle trampling
him. His elder brother John Porter, 73, who lives near
Bath, suffered multiple rib fractures, a punctured lung and
general contusions, but survived.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
into the incident which occurred on 13 May 2013 found the
farmer had not taken reasonable precautions to protect
members of the public walking on footpaths through his
fields from his cattle. Where livestock are judged to present