Fall from window prompts new safety warning
November 26, 2007
The prosecution of an NHS foundation trust has prompted the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to issue a warning over falls from height.
Following an accident in 2006, which lead to the fall of a patient from a hospital window, the HSE has warned of the need to ensure the health and safety of patients, particularly in respect of falls from windows that are not secure.
As a result of the incident, the trust was required to pay a total of £6,965.58, including costs.
"This case graphically illustrates that hospitals need to ensure that vulnerable patients in their care are not put at risk," said Thomas Merry, an inspector for the HSE.
"This patient's injuries were entirely avoidable. The hospital had not assessed the risk of someone getting out of an unsecured window," he added.
Following the incident, the trust was found to have breached Regulation 3(1) b of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Recent data released by the HSE shows that for the period between 2006 and 2007, falls from height resulted in a total of 45 deaths.
Find out more about how to avoid Slips, Trips and Falls.
Following an accident in 2006, which lead to the fall of a patient from a hospital window, the HSE has warned of the need to ensure the health and safety of patients, particularly in respect of falls from windows that are not secure.
As a result of the incident, the trust was required to pay a total of £6,965.58, including costs.
"This case graphically illustrates that hospitals need to ensure that vulnerable patients in their care are not put at risk," said Thomas Merry, an inspector for the HSE.
"This patient's injuries were entirely avoidable. The hospital had not assessed the risk of someone getting out of an unsecured window," he added.
Following the incident, the trust was found to have breached Regulation 3(1) b of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Recent data released by the HSE shows that for the period between 2006 and 2007, falls from height resulted in a total of 45 deaths.
Find out more about how to avoid Slips, Trips and Falls.
More Slips, Trips and Falls news:
South Birmingham PCT to pay GBP 37,500 - December 2, 2008Hospitality workshop focuses on slips and trips - December 2, 2008
Final slice of health and safety Cake - December 1, 2008
British Gas pays £4,700 after accident - November 28, 2008
Awareness day held for schools in Herefordshire - November 12, 2008
