04/02/2011 - Bad ladder caused man to break back
A faulty ladder at a commercial vehicle garage left a worker with a broken back and still unable to work nearly a year later, magistrates have learned.
The man, who has not been named, had gone up a ladder at Roadferry Transport Yard in Farington, Leyland, in March last year. But the ladder slipped and he fell to the ground, breaking a bone in his spine. He has not been able to go back to work because of his injury, almost a year since the accident.
Investigating safety inspectors discovered that feet were missing from both ends of the ladder, as was the bottom rung and a section of the top.
Magistrates in South Ribble heard Michael Wilson, who runs M Wilson Commercials, the firm responsible for the worker's safety, did not ensure the equipment was maintained. He admitted breaking regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
Wilson was handed a £4,000 fine and must also pay prosecution costs of £2,000.
Copyright Press Association 2011
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