A SCHOOL caretaker who has used ladders for 30 years is suing after he fell off one – saying he was not trained to use it.
Anthony Gower-Smith, 73, wants £50,000 compensation for injuries.
He said he put the 6ft ladder side-on to the wall instead of at right angles, making it unstable.
Mr Gower-Smith toppled off as he removed a card display and staples from a wall at the school gym.
He fractured his skull, broke a cheekbone, split a kidney and spent time in intensive care, the court heard.
The caretaker said he had been told not to stand on the top step or work more than 10ft above the ground – but given no other advice on using stepladders.
The pensioner admitted ticking a box to say he was given safety training when he took the job in 2002.
But he added: “When you are given something to sign by your superior you just sign it.”
At first he blamed himself for the fall and told police he had been standing on the top step, the court heard.
But he said: “I don’t remember what I said – I was dazed.
“But I wasn’t on the top step because I had no need to be.”
Mr Gower-Smith was asked by the judge whether he had a stepladder at home, and admitted he had.
He also used a ladder for 30 years when he owned a petrol station, Winchester County Court heard.
Defendant Hampshire County Council said in a statement: “The claimant knew perfectly well how to use a stepladder.”
Married Mr Gower-Smith, of North Baddesley, no longer works at Awbridge Primary School near Romsey.
Judgment on the case is expected this week.
Anthony Gower-Smith, 73, wants £50,000 compensation for injuries.
He said he put the 6ft ladder side-on to the wall instead of at right angles, making it unstable.
Mr Gower-Smith toppled off as he removed a card display and staples from a wall at the school gym.
He fractured his skull, broke a cheekbone, split a kidney and spent time in intensive care, the court heard.
The caretaker said he had been told not to stand on the top step or work more than 10ft above the ground – but given no other advice on using stepladders.
The pensioner admitted ticking a box to say he was given safety training when he took the job in 2002.
But he added: “When you are given something to sign by your superior you just sign it.”
At first he blamed himself for the fall and told police he had been standing on the top step, the court heard.
But he said: “I don’t remember what I said – I was dazed.
“But I wasn’t on the top step because I had no need to be.”
Mr Gower-Smith was asked by the judge whether he had a stepladder at home, and admitted he had.
He also used a ladder for 30 years when he owned a petrol station, Winchester County Court heard.
Defendant Hampshire County Council said in a statement: “The claimant knew perfectly well how to use a stepladder.”
Married Mr Gower-Smith, of North Baddesley, no longer works at Awbridge Primary School near Romsey.
Judgment on the case is expected this week.
