In court

Company failed to undertake safety checks

Alison Fava

A granite worktop manufacturer has been fined after failing to ensure that lifting equipment was examined and maintained to ensure it was safe to use.

Grantech Limited was not having regular statutory examinations carried out on lifting equipment. It also failed to carry out repairs when defects had been found.

Following an inspection on 18 June 2018 by the HSE at the site in Buckley, it was discovered that the examinations were not carried out at the required six monthly intervals and when they were carried out the same faults were reported, as the company were not taking action to effect the repairs.

Grantech Limited of Spencer’s Industrial Estate, Buckley pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Regulation 9 (3) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,906.

Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Mhairi Duffy said “This prosecution could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards”.

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