The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Mr Wilson following the incident at Roadferry Transport Yard on Carr Lane in Farington, Leyland, on 3 March 2010.
South Ribble Magistrates' Court in Leyland heard that the employee, who has asked not to be named, had climbed up a ladder at the commercial vehicle garage to reach the release mechanism for a lorry cab.
The employee fell to the ground when the ladder slipped, causing him to break a vertebrae in his spine. Nearly a year later, he is still unable to return to work
The HSE investigation found the ladder had missing feet at both ends, the bottom rung was damaged and it appeared to have been cut off at the top.
Michael Wilson, trading as M Wilson Commercials, admitted breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 by failing to make sure the ladder was well maintained. As well as the £4,000 fine, he was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,000.
HSE inspector Matt Lea said: "One of Mr Wilson's employees was badly injured because he was given an unsafe ladder to use. It should have been checked in advance to make sure it was suitable.
"The employee had not received any training on working at height or with ladders, despite regularly needing to do it as part of his job. He therefore simply used the nearest available ladder.
"Sadly, this worker is just one of hundreds of people who are injured every year as a result of falling from ladders. Falling a short distance can still result in someone being seriously injured."
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