Company Fined After Worker Fell Through Unguarded Balustrade While Replacing Steps

Brief Summary

A worker replacing steps at a residential property fell more than two metres through an opening in a balustrade into a basement lightwell. The investigation found the employer did not plan the work properly, failed to provide a task specific risk assessment and method statement, and did not have suitable fall prevention measures in place before work began. The employer pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations and was fined.

What Was The Incident?

A bricklayer was helping to install new steps at a domestic property after railings had been removed the previous day to take out the old steps. While replacing the steps, he fell through a gap in a balustrade into a basement lightwell about 2.6 metres below and sustained serious injuries including head trauma and a stroke.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £7,638 in costs. HSE stated the incident was entirely preventable and highlighted enforcement action where duty holders fail to protect workers working at height.

Key Points To Consider

Plan work at height before work starts. Treat the specific task as its own piece of work and make sure it is properly planned so control measures are in place before any risky activity begins.

Carry out a task specific risk assessment and method statement. Do not rely on generic arrangements. Assess the actual risks created by the job and set out a safe system of work in a task specific method statement.

Ensure suitable physical fall prevention measures are in place. Where openings and gaps could allow a fall, use appropriate safeguards such as scaffolding guardrails or coverings before employees start work.

Control measures must match the site conditions created during the job. Changes made earlier in the work, such as removing railings, can create new access routes for falls. Review these conditions and adjust controls accordingly for the next phase.

Expect enforcement for preventable work at height failures. HSE highlighted that falls from height are a leading cause of workplace injury. Duty holders should expect scrutiny and potential prosecution where planning and controls for working at height are not adequate.

HSE Prosecution Link