- Worker suffered broken ribs and a fractured collarbone after falling from stepladder.
- Ladders stored outside were in poor condition and accessible to employees, who were not trained on how to assess a ladder as being safe.
- Latest HSE statistics show falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace death and injury.
Wirral Council has been fined £6000 after an employee suffered serious injuries when a stepladder collapsed beneath him.
The Wirral Council Employee was attempting to access a loft space at the Council-operated Dale Farm site in Heswall, Wirral, when the incident occurred.
As he neared the top of the stepladder, it gave way causing him to fall to the ground. He suffered a fractured collarbone and broken ribs.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wirral Council had failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees by not adequately controlling the risks associated with working at height and the use of ladders.
The investigation identified failures in the Council’s management of work at height activities. Ladder use was not effectively controlled and despite identifying ladders that were not in a good state of repair and unsafe to use, they remained in place, accessible to any employee who wanted to use them. Furthermore, employees had not received training in in relation to how to assess a ladder as being safe to use.
HSE guidance, produced in partnership with the Ladder Association, sets out the practical steps employers should take to ensure ladders are used safely at work. Further HSE guidance explains the measures employers should take to prevent falls when working at height.
Wirral MBC pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Council was fined £6000 and ordered to pay £4000 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 11th August 2026.
After the hearing HSE Inspector Mike Lisle said:
“This worker suffered painful and life-changing injuries in a fall that could have been prevented.
“The council failed to put in place basic measures to manage the risks associated with working at height. Employees had not received suitable training and ladders were not being systematically inspected to ensure they were safe.
“Employers should ensure suitable equipment is properly maintained, workers are trained and robust arrangements are in place for all work at height activities.”
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement Lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Lynne Thomas.
Further information:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
- More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
- Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
- Relevant guidance can be found here:
LA455-Safe-Use-of-Ladders-and-Stepladders-A-brief-guide.pdf
Working at height: A brief guide - HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.