Firms must 'invest' in training

Companies have been warned they must invest in staff training before allowing them to carry out aspects of their work following the prosecution of a Rotherham company for failing to do so.

Two employees of Philip Wolstenholme were dismantling some scaffolding when a badly supported board gave way, resulting in one worker falling six metres to the ground and suffering injuries to his foot and spine.

It transpired that staff had not been provided with the required training to carry out such tasks.

Philip Wolstenholme, the owner of the company, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as well as breaching a Prohibition Notice served by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which prohibited untrained staff from erecting or dismantling scaffolding.

Mr Wolstenholme was sentenced to three months in prison by Sheffield crown court.

Robert Cooper, a HSE inspector, said the boss had wilfully disregarded the advice given to him and the requirements of the prohibition notice, putting the lives of his employees at risk.

"The injuries suffered by the employee were very serious and could very easily have been fatal. This sad case highlights the need for employers to train people working for them, particularly in high-risk work," he said.

A prohibition notice requires companies to cease any work which involves the risk of serious injury until remedial action has been taken to reduce the danger.