Warning after worker dies after ladder fall

Farmers have been reminded of the dangers posed when working at height following the death of a worker on an English farm.

The farm business

– A Kirkham & Son, Rushey Fields Farm, Loughborough – has been fined after an employee fell from height, and subsequently died, while loading a straw spreader to bed the farm’s animals.

Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard that on July 14, 2018, the employee received injuries, and later died in hospital from those injuries, while working at height.

The employee was loading the spreader with straw and fell from a ladder while cutting strings from a bale of straw.

He was found on the ground and suffered serious, fatal head injuries from the fall.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was no suitable and sufficient risk assessment, or safe system of work in place for this type of work.

The investigation concluded that it was possible for the task to be carried out in other ways, without having to work from a ladder.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It has been fined £12,000, and ordered to pay costs of £6296.32.

“This incident could have been avoided had the operation been properly risk assessed and a safe system of work been put in place,” said HSE inspector, Jenna Mcdade.

“Businesses should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fall below the required standard.”