By Dave Gudgeon

Last updated at 13:54, Tuesday, 29 April 2008

A WORKER with Carlisle Glass Ltd severed an artery and tendons in a hand after falling from a ladder while repairing a broken window.

The company, which is based in Crown Street, Carlisle, was yesterday fined £10,000 by city magistrates and ordered to pay costs of £1,100.

Carlisle Glass Ltd admitted a charge under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act that it failed to ensure the safety at work of an employee.

The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive and one its inspectors, Mhairi Duffy, told the court what happened on June 25 last year when the company sent one of its employees to repair a broken window at a property in Durranhill Road, Carlisle.

The employee 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.

Ms Duffy said the ladder was not secured and the employee had not received any training in the use of ladders. The ladder was not suitable for this type of the work as the employee was unable to hold on properly while working.

She added: “This was an entirely avoidable incident and the consequences could have been far worse. The injured person has undergone physiotherapy, but still suffers from some mobility loss and loss of grip. 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.”

Ten people died and 820 people were seriously injured in the north west after falling from ladders between 2001 and 2006. The incident happened during the Health and Safety Executive campaign to raise awareness of ladder safety.

After the incident the company was served with four prohibition notices banning them from using ladders that were in poor condition and four improvement notices served because of safety breaches.

The improvement notices served to Carlisle Glass were to ensure the company:

•  Carried out proper risk assessments for employees working at height;

•  Carried out inspections to ensure ladders were maintained in a safe condition;

•  Ensured staff were competent when using ladders;

•  Ensured first aid equipment was up to date.

A statement from the company said they regretted the incident had occurred and that Mr Little suffered his injuries while at work.

They said they had subsequently been glad to welcome him back to work.

“Carlisle Glass has carried out a thorough review of its working practices since the incident in June 2007 in a concerted effort to ensure that no such accident occurs again,” the statement said.

“Existing policies and procedures have been modified where necessary and measures put in place to ensure health and safety systems are implemented at all levels. Carlisle Glass will continue to do everything in its power to ensure the safety of its staff and everyone else it comes into contact with during work practice.

“The company would like to point out that it co-operated fully with the Health and Safety Executive . It is a family run business that takes its safety record very seriously.”

First published at 11:37, Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk