7/3/23 – We were saddened to learn about the injuries sustained by a worker who fell from height after being unable to use the tower scaffold provided by his employer as it was too large to fit in the space where it was needed.
The accident, which happened in August 2021, was the subject of a recent prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
It is a reminder for all of us about the importance of selecting suitable access equipment for work at height.
What happened?
Renka Limited were hired to supply and install windows, doors and frames at a property in Frodsham, Cheshire. On the day of the accident, their workers arrived to install a rooflight. Their employer had provided them with a tower scaffold, however it was too big for the space.
Instead, the workers improvised by making a platform using the boards from the tower and wedging them between the roof joists (see picture above, which was supplied by the HSE). They then gained access to the work area via external scaffolding.
The property where the accident took place. Photo credit: HSE
After installing a rooflight, a man stepped from the roof onto the platform. At that point the board broke, causing him to fall 5 metres to the ground, resulting in fractures to his back and ribs.
The investigation
An investigation by the HSE found Renka Limited failed to adequately plan the work at height and failed to provide suitable work equipment to enable the work to be carried out safely. The investigation also found that the company’s employees had not been provided with any instruction as to how the work should be carried out, and had not been provided with adequate training for working at height.
Learning lessons
There are some important lessons to be learned here:
> Plan work at height properly - and communicate those plans to workers!
> Choose the right access equipment for the job at hand
> If you’re using a tower, pick a suitable one (they have different heights, widths and capabilities)
> Make sure workers have the correct instruction manual for the tower
> Send workers on the correct recognised training courses so they can use equipment safely
> Tower components are not designed to be used for anything other than in a properly assembled tower
> Empower workers to stop work and speak up if they feel unsafe
Consequences
Renka Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This regulation requires employers to ensure that work at height is properly planned, adequately supervised and carried out in a safe manner, and that the planning includes the careful selection of work equipment.
The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £3863.25 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 20 February 2023.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Sara Andrews said: “The incident could have been prevented by the adequate planning of the work and the provision of suitable equipment for work at height, together with relevant training and instructions. It is fortunate that the injuries suffered by the employee were not far more serious, or even fatal.”
No Falls Foundation is a charity dedicated to supporting people who've been affected by the consequences of a fall. If you find yourself in this situation, please download a support pack. 
