A specialist construction company, Ecclesiastical Steeplejacks Ltd, was fined £60,000 for breaching Work at Height Regulations.
The fine related to an accident in which a worker, David Clover, fell to his death from a church steeple in Birmingham in 2020. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the bosun’s chair used by Mr Clover was not supported by a suitable backup system to prevent falls.
The company pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
The HSE inspector emphasized that falls from height are a leading cause of work-related deaths and that the HSE will take action against companies that fail to protect workers.
Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005
Regulation 4(1) requires employers to ensure that work at height is properly planned; appropriately supervised; and carried out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe.
There is also a requirement to ensure that when planning work at height an employer gives proper consideration to the use of appropriate work equipment taking into account the working conditions and the risks to the safety, including the distance and consequences of a potential fall.
Further information: