Safety Signs News

Falls from height could be avoided with safety measures and safety signage

19th April 2011 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Nicole Stevens

Health and safety signs are an important part in keeping workers safe from injury or even death while carrying out dangerous jobs.

Site occupiers Dowding and Mills UK Ltd were fined £6,000 with almost £1,500 in costs by Runcorn Magistrates' Court after a plumber fell through a ceiling tile, landing on his neck.

The 64-year-old worker fell three metres through a suspended ceiling in Woolston, which could have resulted in paralysis or even death, the magistrates' court heard.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection found that another plumber had fallen through a ceiling tile two years before, but despite this, work was carried out "without suitable planning".

Martin Heywood, a HSE inspector, said: "Dowding and Mills ignored its own procedures for checking the methods contractors intended to use when undertaking work.

"Falls from just a few metres above the ground are responsible for hundreds of workplace injuries every year. Those responsible for work activities taking place at height must make sure workers stay safe."

Yesterday it was reported that a man fell from a two-storey house because his employers failed to provide workers with proper safety equipment. ADNFCR-2754-ID-800505085-ADNFCR