In a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Newcastle-under-Lyme magistrates heard that the man was repairing tiles on the church roof in October 2009 when an anchor securing his ladders to the church masonry suddenly gave way. He fell 8m to the ground, suffering serious injuries including a spinal fracture, two broken ankles and a broken wrist. He spent three weeks in hospital and has not been able to return to work since the incident.
Alliance Technical Services Ltd, of Hampton Street, Hanley pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £3,334 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs.
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.
"This resulted in a completely avoidable and very serious disabling injury to one of their workers."
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