Inadequate Bedroom Window Safety Chains Lead to Fall From Height
A care home in Scotland has been fined £21,000 after a resident suffered a 4.5 meter fall from height.
Risks of falling from windows in care settings are well documented in HSE guidance.
A recent incident at a Scottish care home once again proved that a lack of safety measures is the main contributor to injuries. The resident was found injured lying on the ground outside his bedroom window. Further to this, the care home pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974 which lead to the significant fine.
The HSE found that the care home had not assessed the risk of vulnerable residents falling from height.
The resident suffered multiple fractures including a fractured pelvis, right acetabulum and right humeral head.
Falls from heights continue to plague UK statistics with 29 fatalities across 2019/2020. Thankfully on this occasion the resident didn’t suffer those consequences. However, the HSE stressed that “companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
