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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Hard lesson learned in Derby should spur LAs to avoid ....
Hard lesson learned in Derby should spur LAs to avoid similar tragedy
The nature of local authorities means they are considerable land owners and occupiers of schools, parks and other public places and buildings. All have boundaries to be maintained, and it is clear that some systematic scheme of periodic inspection is necessary to ensure that property is adequately maintained so as not to pose a threat to personal safety.
The possible consequences of not doing so were tragically illustrated on 12th May 2003 when a 12-year-old girl died when a section of fencing bounding Osmaston Park, that she had climbed up on, fell on her, inflicting fatal injuries.
Derby City Council pleaded guilty to breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act by not ensuring that the railings were maintained, for which it was fined £42,000, with costs of £58,000, at Derby Crown Court.
Comment:
"This was a terrible accident which could have been easily avoided if the railings had been properly maintained and obvious faults had been repaired.
Local authorities have a duty to ensure their property is safe and that includes railings around parks and gardens operated by the authority. This accident highlights the importance of maintenance. Simple, practical steps such as regular inspection of boundary fencing and walls would stop this kind of incident happening in future." - HSE Principal Inspector.
