Falls from height continue to make up a significant proportion of all workplace fatalities and serious injuries. Just over a quarter of all deaths last year (37 cases) were from falls.

In yet another easily avoidable incident, an air conditioning maintenance company has been fined after a worker fell through a false ceiling.

Three metre fall

The court heard workers had been replacing an air conditioning unit’s motor. One worker was stood on a working platform which was positioned over a false ceiling.

While fitting the new motor he stepped backwards off the platform and on to the false ceiling. The worker fell three metres to the ground.

Sentence

ICH Ltd admitted breaking the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,050.

Proper planning needed

The Health and Safety Executive stress businesses should make sure all work at height, including work on false ceilings, is properly planned, properly supervised and safely carried out.