Safety Signs News

Seed producer fined over worker fall

22nd March 2010 | Health and Safety Signs

A Suffolk-based seed producer has been fined £8,000 after one of its workers suffered serious injuries in a fall from a shipping container, it has been confirmed.

The 49-year-old WA Church employee sustained a fractured skull and spinal injuries after falling from a ramp while loading sacks of peas on to the vehicle at High Fen Seed Store.

After admitting to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the company was fined and ordered to pay £4,642 in costs.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the firm failed to take the required precautions - such as using safety signs - to protect the worker.

"If [the] employer had taken precautions to ensure [its worker's] safety, this incident could have been avoided," said HSE inspector Saffron Turnell.

"Working at height remains one of the most dangerous things employees can do. This case highlights the need for companies to do everything possible to minimise the risks employees face when working at height."

Last week, Fermanagh Council was hit with a £45,000 fine after one of its employees suffered brain damage in a fall of ground incident at a landfill site.

Posted by Nicole Stevens ADNFCR-2754-ID-19681100-ADNFCR