A Scottish council has been fined £10,000 for health and safety failings after a worker sustained serious injuries falling off a ladder.
In 2013, a painter working for West Lothian Council fell four metres from his ladder and suffered serious injuries to his left hip and leg and eight fractures to his knee.
Livingston Sheriff Court was told an alloy tower or podium steps should have been used given the level of risk involved. It also heard the ‘ladder mates’, designed to stop the ladder slipping, were missing
The council pleaded guilty to a single charge under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Livingston Sheriff Court.
A spokesperson for the council commented: ‘West Lothian Council takes the health and safety of its employees very seriously and has acknowledged the breach.
‘Since this accident the council has reviewed its procedures and fully complied with the Health and Safety Executive recommendations.’
