Shop fined over health and safety lapses

A shop in Bexhill has been fined £50,000 for failing to implement health and safety requirements highlighted in an inspection of the premises, it has been reported.

The Linen Shop was scrutinised by Rother's Environmental Health Officers in 2002 and the inspectors found no risk assessments had been carried out as well as a flooded cellar, the absence of a staff toilet and high levels of damp throughout the building, according to the Bexhill Observer.

A follow-up visit four years later discovered a staircase had rotted to such an extent that it collapsed when an employee stood on it, leaving the worker with a broken ankle.

In addition, the spreading dampness caused the inspectors concern as it was encroaching on the electrical installations in the shop, the newspaper reports.

Lewes crown court imposed a fine of £50,000 on the company as well as awarding Rother district council £7,568.

Councillor Ian Jenkins, lead cabinet member for health issues, told the publication the firm had failed to act when it was required to.

"These high fines reflect the very poor conditions at the shop which existed for a long period of time and the fact that the company refused to complete the works requested by the council," he said.

Earlier this year, law firm Shoosmiths claimed a health and safety culture needs to be implemented from the top level of a company, so staff realise its importance and what is expected of them.