Horticulture business fined after worker falls from height

Ball Colegrave, a wholesale distributor of seeds and plants, has been fined £80,000 after an employee fell from a ladder and suffered serious injuries.

The worker was checking the irrigation of plants in hanging baskets at a site in Banbury when the incident happened.

As the worker climbed a ladder, it fell and collapsed beneath him, causing five broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the business failed to ensure work at height was planned and carried out in a safe manner.

Working at height is a leading cause of workplace injury and death, including in the landscaping sector, and BALI encourages members to consistently implement the relevant HSE guidance.

HSE inspector, Rebecca Gibson, said:

” This incident highlights the duty on employers to ensure that should do all they can to minimise the risk from working at height.

“If work at height isn’t properly planned and unsuitable work equipment is used, people can fall and sustain serious injuries.

“Falls from height remains a leading cause of workplace injury and death.”