Workplace risks 'must be managed'

Employers are being warned they must thoroughly assess and manage workplace risks after a company was fined for failing to do so.

In 2005 an employee working for Clays of Bungay was carrying out maintenance work when he fell seven metres through a skylight onto a metal cage suffering several injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had not provided its staff with adequate safety equipment to protect them against falls from height.

In addition, the inspectors found poor health and safety standards in other areas including the use of actuator keys to disable the guarding on machines.

Lowestoft magistrates court fined the firm £32,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £12,000 after the firm pleaded guilty to two breaches of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

In addition, the company admitted to contravening section 3(1) of the same act as well as breaches of Regulations 3 and 5 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Jon Elven, the HSE inspector, said: "The company has exposed both employees and sub-contractors to potentially dangerous situations and [the] HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in such a serious way."

A firm from Altrincham was recently fined after a 16-year-old apprentice fell through a skylight suffering fatal injuries.