Kettering firm fined after workplace death
December 8th 09:05 Health and Safety
The importance of effective health and safety facilities management in the workplace has been highlighted by the fining of a Kettering-based commercial vehicle repair centre.
FW Abbott was given a £40,000 penalty and ordered to pay £25,000 in costs following the death of an employee in 2007.
Martin Carswell was crushed under a 24-tonne lorry while he was working on it after the equipment that was being used to support the vehicle collapsed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which prosecuted the firm, said that the "unfortunate and tragic accident" could have been avoided.
Inspector at the HSE Neil Craig stated: "The company should have completed a proper risk assessment and trained their employees in a safe system of work."
In related news, Andre Mason of Sutton in Craven was recently fined £1,500 following the death of a co-worker who fell from a forklift truck while it was being used to access the second tier of a two-deck lorry at Joda Freight in Crosshills.
