Paul Littlewood

13 May 2015 · Coroner Julian Fox · South Yorkshire (West)

The coroner's concerns

1. gap of 1 metre through which it would be quite easy to fall
“The fixed barrier at the centre of the gantry was 1 metre in height, and there was no intermediate crossbar, leaving a gap of 1 metre, through which it would be quite easy to fall”
2. absence of toe-plate
“There was no toe-plate to delineate the edge of the platform”
3. inadequate fall protection at ladder top
“The gantry was accessible by means of a fixed ladder. At the top of the ladder, fall protection is provided by a single cable which is set at a height well below 1 metre. It provides a pivot for a fall, rather than fall prevention”
4. insufficient height of barrier and fall protection
“In my opinion, both the fixed barrier and the fall protection at the top of the access ladder should be set at a safer height. Reference to the Working at Height Regulations 2005 may well provide helpful guidance”
5. lack of self-closing barrier
“Consideration should be given to a self-closing mechanism for any barrier that is fitted at the top of the access ladder”
6. absence of ground‑level falls arrest system
“Consideration should also be given to the installation of a falls arrest system which can be attached at ground level. R Plevin and Sons Ltd have indicated that since Mr [name redacted] death, they have retro-fitted a system that they consider suitable at a cost in the region of £500.00 per trailer”