Investigation and inquest
On 12th of march 2012 I commenced an investigation into the death of ALAN SMITH then aged sixty four. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 1st of August 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was Accidental Death, the medical cause of death being Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
Circumstances of the death
1. The Deceased, in the course of his employment, attended at DRB Deeside Industrial Estate, Flintshire to repair a factory door.
2. In the course of his work he had climbed up a ladder which he had placed against the door which then moved, resulting in the ladder and the Deceased falling to the ground.
3. As a result of this fall, the Deceased sustained a severe head injury which caused his death.
Coroner’s concerns
A witness and co-worker of the Deceased indicated that he had had not received any specific training regarding working at height during the time of his employment at Carrington Doors and indicated that although generic Risk Assessment forms and Method Statements were available, these were not used routinely by employees.