Public risk highlights need for effective facilities management
February 8th 15:39 Health and Safety
The importance construction firms should place on health and safety compliance has been highlighted after a Yorkshire-based firm put members of the public at risk.
Shepherd Construction was fined for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act after an employee drove a cherry picker over a concealed man hole cover.
The driver of the machine suffered serious injuries as the extended arm of the vehicle smashed into the ground.
Had any pedestrians been occupying the usually busy area, further serious injuries could have been caused, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned.
HSE inspector Martin Giles said: "This was a very dangerous incident, in an area which was bustling with pedestrians and vehicles.
"It could so easily have led to people being killed and has left a worker with serious injuries."
The firm was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £6,900 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the act at Nottingham Magistrates Court.
