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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Fundamental failings in health and safety led to ....
Fundamental failings in health and safety led to prosecution of large retailer
The Co-op has been prosecuted and fined £40,000 following the discovery of what was described by an official of the enforcing authority, Wealden District Council, as 'so many fundamental failings in the health, safety and welfare provisions for staff and members of the public'.
Council inspectors investigated an accident at one of its stores in Heathfield High Street, in which an employee sustained arm and ankle injuries and discovered:
a mechanical lift left in the ‘up’ position;
a number of unsafe items of lifting equipment;
defective electrical systems;
guard rails had not been fitted to the lifting equipment for 3 years because they had obstructed delivery vehicles;
members of the public could also come into contact with live electrical conductors in the delivery bay; and
obstructed fire exits.
£40,000 fine
These failings could only result from company management inadequacies which had induced an environment lacking in effective health and safety procedures and hazard monitoring at the store, inadequate training, and insufficient risk assessments for using equipment.
The company was fined a total of £28,000 for the breach in the duty of care relating to the safety and welfare of its employee, and the duty of care relating to the health and safety of members of the public. For failing to maintain safe plant and systems of work, the company was fined an additional £12,000, with costs of £2,238.
The Co-Op's legal representative explained that, since the accident, it had undergone an organisational and cultural change to prevent such events and remedy deficiencies.
Comment:
“The safety of employees and the general public is a paramount importance in shops and stores. Whether they are large supermarket chains or one man operations, they should never forget this.” - Councillor, Cabinet member for Health and Public Safety Wealden District Council.
31.08.06
