A maintenance worker suffered serious injuries in December 2022 when his ladder slipped on ice. The employee fell onto the sidewalk while attempting to raise a flag using leaning ladders. Workplace safety inspectors discovered the company regularly used leaning ladders for flag-raising duties. Finnish workplace safety regulations explicitly prohibit using leaning ladders as work platforms.
The inspection also revealed the employer failed to conduct mandatory risk assessments before the task. The Southwest Finland District Court sentenced the employer to 40 day-fines on Tuesday. Judges ruled the employer's negligence contributed to the worker's severe injuries.
The employer claimed they hadn't intentionally or carelessly neglected safety oversight responsibilities. This court decision remains subject to appeal.
Workers had used leaning ladders for flag-raising at this location for over ten years. The injured employee had repeatedly warned management about the dangerous procedure. The court considered the long duration of this unsafe practice in its ruling.
Work safety lawyer Natalie Eklund reminded employers about their responsibility to plan safe work methods. She stated in an official bulletin that leaning ladders pose serious accident risks when used improperly. Eklund noted this case unfortunately demonstrated why such use is prohibited.
This incident highlights how routine safety violations can persist for years despite worker warnings. The case shows Finnish courts take long-standing safety negligence seriously, even when employers claim unawareness.