Retailer fined over £3000 for breaches of Health and Safety Legislation
A local retailer pleaded guilty at Lancaster Magistrates Court last week (Wednesday, 7 January) to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.
A local retailer pleaded guilty at Lancaster Magistrates Court last week (Wednesday, 7 January) to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.
Pacetable Limited (trading as Homemakers 1st Stop of Euston Road, Morecambe) was charged as a result of an accident in which an employee was injured. The company was fined £3150 with £5500 costs and £15 victim support following the accident to warehouseman Scott Woodfine.
Mr Woodfine was carrying baths from the ground floor to the second floor storeroom single handed when he tripped and fell, striking his head on the bath which rendered him unconscious. When he eventually came round he shouted for help and was not heard so used his mobile phone to alert store management who found him and called the emergency services. The Ambulance Service arrived but was only able to move him with assistance from Lancaster Fire and Rescue Service. Five fire fighters and three shop staff were needed to move stock to enable Mr Woodfine to be carried to the ambulance. Morphine was administered to ease the pain to his back.
An investigation by Lancaster City Council’s Environmental Health Service subsequently revealed that Mr Woodfine had not been provided with any manual handling training, a safe system of work had not been practiced and that suitable and sufficient risk assessments had not been carried out contrary to the requirements of health and safety legislation.
Evidence gathered by the Health and Safety Executive states that more than 25% of all notifiable accidents are caused by manual handling incidents and many result in long term illness.
Carrying baths upstairs single handed is not a safe system of work and this practice has been prohibited as a result. Employers must carry out risk assessments ensuring that safe systems of work are adopted at all times in order to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest reasonable level. They must also ensure that employees are provided with proper training to help them carry out their responsibilities safely.
Coun David Kerr, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health said: “The city council takes breaches of health and safety legislation very seriously. We would like to see all types of businesses in the area prosper. Providing a safe and healthy workplace can help businesses achieve this. The council's Environmental Health Service are more than willing to provide advice and assistance when requested. Only when there are serious breaches of the law is action in the courts contemplated.”
Environmental Health is just one of a wide range of services provided to you by Lancaster City Council. These services would not be possible without the support of the £3.52 which, on average, you pay in council tax. For more information on the council's services visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/makingeverypennycount.
Date Updated: 19/03/09