Company fined after tree worker fell more than 30ft

A tree worker suffered life-altering back injuries after falling more than 30ft (9.1m) as he attempted to abseil from an elevated platform that had stopped working.

AP Tree Specialists has been fined £20,000 after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found it had failed to plan, appropriately supervise and carry out work at height in a safe manner.

The employee was carrying out tree surgery from the basket of a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) at a site in Derby in January 2024.

Company director Matthew Scholes was acting as site supervisor at the time and was "directly involved in decisions and actions that led to the injuries sustained by the employee", the HSE said.

When the MEWP stopped working on 25 January 2024, there was no-one at the site who could bring the basket safely to the ground, leading to the man attempting to abseil down, the HSE added.

The arboriculture company, based in Shelton Lock, Derby, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 3 December.

As well as the £20,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £6,956 in costs.

At the same venue, Scholes, 47, pleaded guilty to breaching section 37(1) of the 1974 Act and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £400 in costs.

The HSE said the company had not completed a "sufficient risk assessment for work at height activities, and employees were not appropriately trained in the use of lifting equipment".

Where lifting equipment is used, HSE guidance says workers must receive the appropriate training, and rescue planning, equipment and personnel must be considered as part of the site assessment.

HSE investigating inspector, Kerry Scott, said: "This incident could have been avoided if AP Tree Specialists Ltd had planned the work at height with suitable and sufficient risk assessments and safe systems of work, including a rescue plan.

"They should have provided the employee with the correct information, instruction and training for working at height and for using the lifting equipment.

"HSE will not fail to take action where companies and directors do not ensure the health and safety of their employees."

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