Fine following steeplejack fall

A building maintenance company based in Stoke-on-Trent has been fined £3,334 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs after a steeplejack fell from a church roof and suffered serious injuries.

Alliance Technical Services Ltd, of Hampton Street, Hanley, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident, which occurred on October 21, 2009.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates’ Court heard how the 40-year-old employee was repairing tiles on the roof of Holy Trinity Church in Hanley when an anchor that was securing his ladders to the church masonry gave way.

The steeplejack fell around 8m on to the ground, causing him to suffer a spinal fracture, two broken ankles and a broken wrist. He spent three weeks recovering in hospital, and has been unable to return to work since.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Keiron Jones said: “When carrying out building repairs at height, companies should always ensure the work is properly planned and that ladders are properly secured.

“In this case Alliance Technical Services failed to provide the necessary training and instruction to their workforce to allow them to install and test the anchors correctly.”