£10,000 fine after worker breaks ribs in 10ft fall

Date:

13 October 2009

Release No:

WM364/09

A Tipton-based firm has been fined £10,000 for breaching health and safety laws following a worker's fall at a warehouse.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted West Midlands Installations Ltd after one of its employees injured his head and ribs when he fell from a racking storage unit that he was assembling.

West Midlands Installations of Brook House, Brook Street Business Centre, Tipton, was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £7,561 costs at Dudley Magistrates' Court yesterday (12 Oct) after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The court heard how on 7 July 2008 the employee was assembling a racking storage unit at Toolbank Specialist Services in Halesowen when he fell approximately 10 feet. There was no edge protection to prevent a fall and he suffered broken ribs and head injuries.

HSE inspector Tariq Khan said: "While the injuries suffered were serious, they could have been much worse. A fall from this kind of height can be fatal.

"Whenever anyone is working at height, their employers need to ensure there is protection around the edges to warn of the dangers and prevent falls. It is something that can be easily implemented and could ultimately save lives and money."

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: 'It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.'

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and PR