3 July 2009 - Employers are being warned by HSE to ensure they assess the risks of falling from height in the workplace and provide safe systems of work.

This follows HSE's prosecution of Veolia Environmental Services Birmingham Ltd (VESB), of, Birmingham and its contractor Hansen Transmissions Ltd (HTL) of, Huddersfield.

On 5 July 2007, an employee of HTL was working to replace a gearbox within a condenser unit at VESB's premises when he fell more than 10 metres. Fortunately, he landed on a pallet of bundled narrow bore copper pipes which broke his fall. However, he suffered serious injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung and a hernia.

HTL was fined a total of £70,000 and ordered to pay £22,000 costs by Birmingham Crown Court after the company pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. VESB was fined a total of £100,000 and ordered to pay £22,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Further information Working at height