Risk assessment warning
June 24, 2008
A fruit-packaging company has been found guilty of breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 after an employee fell from a working platform while carrying out maintenance work.
Cross and Wells was found guilty of putting its employees in danger by not providing them with adequate training in the use of equipment in addition to failing to carry out a risk assessment of workplace dangers.
The firm was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of a further £3,422 at Sittingbourne magistrates' court.
Magdalena Osuchowska fell from the platform that in turn fell from a forklift truck as it was being manoeuvred by an unauthorised driver.
In addition the platform being used was found to be unsuitable for everyday use and Ms Osuchowska suffered several injuries, including broken ribs.
David Fussell, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said businesses must do all they can to reduce the risk of employees falling.
"The fact that serious injury can result from falls of any kind makes it all the more essential for employers to have safe working procedures for working at height," he said.
More than 1,000 workers a month suffer serious injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall, the HSE claims.
Cross and Wells was found guilty of putting its employees in danger by not providing them with adequate training in the use of equipment in addition to failing to carry out a risk assessment of workplace dangers.
The firm was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of a further £3,422 at Sittingbourne magistrates' court.
Magdalena Osuchowska fell from the platform that in turn fell from a forklift truck as it was being manoeuvred by an unauthorised driver.
In addition the platform being used was found to be unsuitable for everyday use and Ms Osuchowska suffered several injuries, including broken ribs.
David Fussell, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said businesses must do all they can to reduce the risk of employees falling.
"The fact that serious injury can result from falls of any kind makes it all the more essential for employers to have safe working procedures for working at height," he said.
More than 1,000 workers a month suffer serious injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall, the HSE claims.
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