On 1 February 2017, the And So To Bed Ltd employee had been working in the company’s warehouse at Pymore, Bridport, when he fell around seven feet from the make-shift mobile elevated working platform. The platform was attached to a forklift truck and was open sided.
The employee involved sustained injuries to his knee and face.
And So To Bed Ltd pleaded guilty to breaches of Sections 2(1) and 33(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and of Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, in a prosecution brought by West Dorset District Council.
An investigation at the time of the incident by Environment Health officers working for the Council found that the company had poor health and safety practices associated with this work activity including:
A health and safety audit report from as far back as 2006 commented that use of the make-shift platform was “unacceptable”. However the investigation found that despite a safer system being purchased by the company, the dangerous platform had continued to be used on an almost daily basis.
Sentencing
And So To Bed Ltd of Pymore Mills, Pymore, Bridport, Dorset was fined £113,000, ordered to pay costs of £6,924 and a victim surcharge of £170.
In mitigation the judge found that after the accident the company had addressed its health and safety failings and implemented a new health and safety regime.
Cllr Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “I would like to thank our officers for investigating this matter. The health and safety practices of And So To Bed Ltd were simply not good enough. This accident should never have happened and could have been avoided
“Employers should be aware that they have a duty to protect the health and safety of their employees. The district council will consider the option of taking enforcement action when investigating health and safety incidents.
“Good health and safety practice makes good business sense.”
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