06/11/19

Employee Suffers Serious Injuries | Leicestershire Based Company Fined | Kangs Health and Safety Regulatory Solicitors

Share

Leicester Magistrates’ Court has imposed a substantial fine upon a Leicestershire based aluminium extrusion company (‘the company’) after an employee suffered serious injuries to his hand and leg.       

Amandeep Murria of Kangs Solicitors sets out the circumstances.

The Circumstances | Kangs Solicitors Health and Safety Team

The employee and four other employees were carrying out vital maintenance work to an aluminium extrusion machine.

A chain mesh sling was being used to put in place a new stem.

An overhead crane was being used to position the stem correctly into position.

The stem fell, striking the employee to his hand and leg which resulted in serious and severe injuries.  

The Health & Safety Executive conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that:

  1. The employee had not received adequate training
  2. The company had failed to undertake any risk assessments regarding the use of the equipment
  3. The company had failed to implement a safe system of work on how the equipment should be used

The Relevant Law | Kangs Regulatory Law Advisors

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (‘the Act’) provides:

‘2  General duties of employers to their employees.

(1) It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of an employer’s duty under the preceding subsection, the matters to which that duty extends include in particular

(a) the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health;

(b) arrangements for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;

(c) the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees;

(d) so far as is reasonably practicable as regards any place of work under the employer’s control, the maintenance of it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and the provision and maintenance of means of access to and egress from it that are safe and without such risks;

(e) the provision and maintenance of a working environment for his employees that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work.’

The Hearing | Kangs Health and Safety Solicitors

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 2 (1) of the Act and was:

  • Fined £133,000   
  • Ordered to pay Prosecution Costs of £6,346.30        

An Inspector from the Health & Safety Executive, Michelle Morrison, was quoted as saying:

“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.”

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fall below the required standards”.

How Can We Help? | Kangs Safety At Work Solicitors

Kangs Solicitors has a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with all matters of health and safety law.

Our specialist solicitors are able to provide advice and assistance throughout the entire criminal process, from the initial intervention by the Health and Safety Executive through to enforcement, interview under caution and ultimately the defence of any ensuing criminal prosecution.

Who Can I Contact For Help? | Kangs National Criminal Defence Solicitors

If we can be of assistance, our Team is available via telephone 0333 370 4333 and by email info@kangssolicitors.co.uk.

We provide initial no obligation discussion at our three offices in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Alternatively, discussions can be held virtually through live conferencing or telephone.

Hamraj Kangs 0340 BW scaled e1690223799706

Hamraj Kang

Email Hamraj

07976 258171

020 7936 6396

0121 449 9888

Amandeep Murria

Amandeep Murria

Email Amandeep

0121 449 9888

020 7936 6396

0161 817 5020

John Veale 1

John Veale

Email John

0121 449 9888

020 7936 6396

0161 817 5020

Health & Safety, Regulatory
As can be seen from reports appearing in previous articles on this website, breaches of Health and Safety Law are regularly attracting severe sentences for both the defaulting companies and their directors. John Veale of Kangs Solicitors Comments generally. Sentencing Examples | Kangs Sentencing Advisory Team Company director Companies Court Sentencing Guidelines | Kangs Regulatory […]
16/12/19
Environmental Agency, Regulatory
Kangs Solicitors has successfully represented a client facing allegations of contraventions of Section 33 Environment Protection Act 1990 and Regulation 38(1) Environmental Permitting Act (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 arising from an investigation conducted by the Environment Agency which commenced in December 2014. John Veale of Kangs Solicitors reports upon the circumstances. The Circumstances | […]
02/12/19
Health & Safety, Regulatory
Aylesbury Crown Court has imposed a substantial fine upon a company (‘the company’) as the result of a number of its employees having suffered Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (‘HAVS’).       Amandeep Murria of Kangs Solicitors sets out the circumstances. The Circumstances | Kangs Solicitors Health and Safety Team The Health & Safety Executive conducted a […]
22/11/19

Get in touch

Need legal assistance? Contact our experienced team for prompt and professional support.
Your privacy is important to us and all details you share will be kept confidential.