An employee fell from a ladder while dismantling a balcony 2.8m from the ground. The ladder slipped causing the employee to suffer skull fractures and a brain injury.

The District Court convicted the employer under the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to take all practicable steps to keep the employee safe.

The employer failed to manage the height hazard and was unaware that the ladder’s rubber non-slip feet were worn out and needed replacing.

The employer needed to ensure that the ladders were fit for safe use, and that any defective ladders were not used by the employees.

The employer was fined $15,000 and was ordered to pay over $48,000 in reparations to the injured employee.