Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard that on 2 October 2018, AU Roofing and Building Ltd workers were working on a roof in Ramsgate, Kent where they were required to carry buckets of materials by hand down the scaffold access ladder.

Davey Battams, aged 31, was unable to maintain a constant three points of contact with the ladder, resulting in the fall.

An HSE investigation found the contractor had not provided basic lifting aids, such as a wheel and pulley, which would have eliminated this risk.

AU Roofing and Building Services Ltd of Ramsgate, Kent pleaded guilty to safety breaches was fined £28,800.00 and ordered to pay costs of £4,213.70.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Cousins said: “This incident could have been so easily avoided by simply providing basic and inexpensive lifting aids, which are industry standard.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards.”