Company prosecution highlights health and safety importance
November 30th 16:31 Health and Safety
The importance of good facilities management at company premises has been highlighted by the successful prosecution of one business by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
I S Maintenance of Barnsley was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £4,085 in costs at Sheffield Crown Court after one of the firm's employees suffered serious injuries at the workplace.
The incident, which took place in January 2008, saw Craig Chappell of Wombwell in Barnsley become entangled in a lathing machine when polishing metal, resulting in him breaking three bones in his left hand and sustaining muscle damage and bruising to both hands.
Risk assessments had not been carried, the HSE revealed, with inspector Denise Fotheringham stating after the hearing that there were "serious health and safety failings" at the company.
I S Maintenance had also not implemented any safety precautions that could have prevented the incident from taking place, the body said.
The HSE has also successfully prosecuted MWS Scaffolding Services, which was fined £5,000 at the City of London Magistrates Court after an employee fell through a roof while at work.
