Wirral Council has been fined £6,000 following a workplace incident where an employee suffered a fractured collarbone and broken ribs after a stepladder collapsed beneath him. The incident occurred on 11th August 2026, as the worker attempted to access a loft space at the Council-operated Dale Farm site in Heswall, Wirral. The Council was also ordered to pay £4,000 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court.
The employee was nearing the top of the stepladder when it unexpectedly gave way, causing him to fall to the ground. The resulting injuries were severe, highlighting significant failings in workplace safety protocols. This incident underscores the critical importance of robust risk management, particularly concerning work at height, which remains a leading cause of workplace fatalities and serious injuries across Britain.
Faulty stepladder collapse leads to serious employee injuries
An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered several breaches in Wirral Council’s management of health and safety. The investigation determined that the Council had failed to adequately control the risks associated with working at height and the use of ladders, thereby not ensuring, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of its employees.
Key findings from the HSE investigation revealed that the Council’s management of work at height activities was ineffective. Ladders that were identified as being in a poor state of repair and unsafe for use were not removed. Instead, they remained accessible to employees, who were not provided with suitable training on how to assess a ladder’s safety before use. This lack of systematic inspection and employee education created a hazardous environment.
HSE guidance, developed in collaboration with the Ladder Association, provides clear, practical steps for employers to ensure ladders are used safely in the workplace. Further HSE guidance also details the necessary measures employers must implement to prevent falls when working at height. These resources emphasise the fundamental requirement for employers to maintain equipment properly, train workers thoroughly, and establish robust arrangements for all activities involving work at height.
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. This section places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. The court’s decision to impose a substantial fine reflects the seriousness of the Council’s failings and the preventable nature of the worker’s injuries.
Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Mike Lisle commented on the case, stating that the worker sustained painful and life-changing injuries in a fall that could have been entirely prevented. He highlighted that the council neglected to implement basic measures to manage the inherent risks associated with working at height. Inspector Lisle further stressed that employees had not received appropriate training, and ladders were not being systematically inspected to guarantee their safety.
Employers are reminded of their legal and moral obligations to ensure that all equipment used by their workforce is suitable and properly maintained. Furthermore, it is imperative that all employees receive comprehensive training relevant to their tasks, especially those involving higher risks such as working at height. Establishing and enforcing robust arrangements for all work at height activities is not merely a regulatory requirement but a fundamental aspect of preventing serious harm. This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences that can arise from neglecting these essential safety duties.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
