Working at Height Prosecution

Published: 22 March 2023

Brighton and Hove City Council, the local authority that employs the staff at the school, had failed to ensure that the cleaning of the school’s bike shed was properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out using a safe work method.

The City Council pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The council was fined £66,666 and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs

Further details can be found on the HSE website: City council fined after school caretaker dies | HSE Media Centre

Actions for schools:

• Identify all work at height tasks conducted by school staff.
• Where work at height cannot be avoided ensure all work at height activities undertaken by school staff are appropriately planned, supervised & risk assessed.
• Where contractors are engaged to undertake activities working at height ensure they are competent to do so and use appropriate equipment for the work.

Policy:
Further information can be found on the School Information Portal (SIP) under the policy tab on the Occupational Health and Safety pages.

Legislation:
The HSE website - https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm & https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/height.htm

Work at Height Training:
As part of the school buy back package – Work at Height training is available, for those who do not buy back our package, training places can be purchased at £60 per delegate.

For further details and assistance please contact the CHST: employeehealthandsafety@derby.gov.uk

Many thanks,

Darren Allsobrook
Darren.allsobrook@derby.gov.uk
Corporate Health and Safety Team Manager

Education