A cardboard box manufacturer in Kent has been fined after an incident in which a delivery driver suffered severe head injuries after a fall.
As a result, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought a prosecution against W.E. Roberts (Corrugated) Ltd which is based at Thames Works, Grove Road, Northfleet, in Kent.
The incident took place on 27 August 2009 when the worker was delivering flat-packed cardboard boxes to an address in Eastbourne.
The man was trying to pull a pallet of cardboard boxes across his trailer from the driver’s side to the curb side. The pallet strapping snapped and the worker fell nearly three metres backwards and 1.5m down onto the pavement.
As a result he suffered severe head injuries, which have had life-changing effects and have meant he is still not able to return to work.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Michelle Taylor said:
"The company failed to adequately consider the risks that delivery drivers face when they are not on site. This led to this severe and entirely preventable incident which has had such a long-lasting and devastating effect on this worker.
"The outcome of this case reinforces the responsibility that employers have to all of their workers, wherever they are, not just those on site under constant supervision."
At Dartford Magistrates’ Court, (on 28 September 2011) W.E. Roberts (Corrugated) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,190.
David Jones, Editor-in-Chief of CDM2007.org said:
"There is a clear message here that Employers' responsibility towards all their workers continues wherever they may be at work or carrying out some job in the course of their work anywhere!"
"A good way to ensure the proper regard to competent safety matters is paid by all throughout any organisation is to provide appropriate training across the whole organisation ~ top to bottom. Everyone! ~ that way ALL will then understand the significance of this responsibility"
"£33,000 is a huge sum to simply lose in heavy fines in these times of economic hardship in industry ~ an amount of this magnitude must surely represent a staggering huge part, if not all, of the profitability of any organisation!"
"Some effective training would only have cost a fraction of the fine imposed by the Magistrates ~ and the worker and his family would not now be suffering the life-changing effects!"
Every worker must be able to rely upon the certain and clear knowledge they are safe when at work and have the right to expect their employers will keep them safe throughout their shift duty so that their families can expect them to return home safe and well ... "
Ed.
