The truck and bus division of Volvo has been fined £900,000 due to a worker being injured after falling from a stepladder whilst servicing a large delivery truck. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that at the time of the incident, the company had not trained their workers to select, inspect and use access equipment for work at height.
The incident, which happened on 17 September 2015, led to the worker losing consciousness and then subsequently being placed in a medically induced coma for two weeks. The worker still suffers from ongoing complications as a result of this incident.
Further investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the stepladder the worker was using was damaged and its anti-slip feet were worn. The stepladder was not Volvo property and had not been checked to ensure it was safe and suitable for use.
Volvo Group UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
HSE inspector Nick Wright said, “This worker suffered life changing injuries that could have been prevented by simple health and safety precautions. For two weeks his family was told to prepare for the worst as he was placed in an induced coma to help manage the swelling on his brain.”