Edinburgh care home fined £100,000 after elderly resident's fall from window » Communities » 24dash.com

Edinburgh's care homes have been given a stark warning by the city council after investigations by its health and safety team following a resident's fatal fall from an unsecured window resulted in a hefty fine.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland was fined £100,000 after pleading guilty to contraventions of health and safety legislation at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The case followed an investigation by the council's environmental health staff into a fatal accident in March 2006 when an 87-year-old resident, Mrs Leah Bell, fell from a second floor window at the Sir James McKay House, 18 Ravelston Park, Edinburgh.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said: "Mrs Bell's tragic death was wholly preventable - had the care home shown due regard for health and safety, it would not have been possible for her to have got on to the window ledge from where she then fell.

"Unfortunately, similar accidents have occurred elsewhere in the UK and residents climbing out of windows is a hazard that is clearly referred to in Health and Safety Executive guidance for the care sector.

"This case is a lesson to all care homes about the importance of securing their windows so that nothing like this can happen again."

Stephen Walker, Environmental Health and Trading Standards Manager, added: "The management of the care home cooperated with the Council's investigation into this matter.

"All businesses must consider the dangers of falls from height and the risks associated with persons, including members of the public such as the elderly and children, using their premises and put in place adequate control measures."