Northamptonshire animal feed company fined after worker falls from height

Date:

11 June 2009

Release No:

HSE/EM/39

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding employers of their duties to the safety of staff following an incident in Kettering where an employee fell six foot and suffered serious injury.

Kettering-based Dodson and Horrell Limited were fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,255 at Kettering Magistrates Court today, Thursday 11 June, after pleading guilty to breaching Health and Safety legislation.

Dodson and Horrell contravened Regulation 3(1)a (the information says 3(1) ) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 in that they failed to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees undertaking maintenance that involved working at height.

On 17 July 2008, at the company's premises in Ringstead, Northamptonshire, a 53-year-old local worker was oiling the chains on a machine that stacks bags of animal feed onto pallets, when he fell approximately six feet, resulting in bruised ribs and a punctured lung.

Prosecuting, HSE Inspector Michelle Morrison said:

"The risks of working at height always need to be fully assessed as every month 1,000 workers suffer a serious injury following a slip, trip or a fall in the workplace.

"The outcome of this incident, the injuries and the subsequent fine remind us that the results can be serious for people and for businesses that fail to comply with their health and safety duties."

Notes to editors

1. HSE produces a wide range of guidance to assist companies carrying out work at height. These assist companies carrying out such work and identify appropriate control measures to prevent potential injuries. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states: "Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work."

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR East Midlands.