Council Fined After Stepladder Collapse Leaves Worker with Broken Ribs

Wirral Council has been fined after an employee suffered serious injuries when a stepladder collapsed beneath him.

The Wirral Council employee was attempting to access a loft space at the Council-operated Dale Farm site in Heswall, Wirral, when the incident occurred.

As he neared the top of the stepladder, it gave way, causing him to fall to the ground. He suffered a fractured collarbone and broken ribs.

No Training

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wirral Council had failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees by not adequately controlling the risks associated with working at height and the use of ladders.

The investigation identified failures in the Council’s management of work at height activities. Ladder use was not effectively controlled and despite identifying ladders that were not in a good state of repair and unsafe to use, they remained in place, accessible to any employee who wanted to use them. Furthermore, employees had not received training in in relation to how to assess a ladder as being safe to use.

Fall Prevention

HSE guidance, produced in partnership with the Ladder Association, sets out the practical steps employers should take to ensure ladders are used safely at work. Further HSE guidance explains the measures employers should take to prevent falls when working at height.

Council Fined

Wirral MBC pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Council was fined £6000 and ordered to pay £4000 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Mike Lisle said: “This worker suffered painful and life-changing injuries in a fall that could have been prevented.

“The council failed to put in place basic measures to manage the risks associated with working at height. Employees had not received suitable training and ladders were not being systematically inspected to ensure they were safe.

“Employers should ensure suitable equipment is properly maintained, workers are trained and robust arrangements are in place for all work at height activities.”

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