03-06-2008
HSE announces prosecution of firm following worker death
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of public liability insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced it will prosecute a company for breaches of health and safety at work legislation following the death of an employee.
Lorry driver Martin Simm was killed at the Berser International Cargo Services' site in Newcastle-under-Lyme when a sliding metal gate, which weighs 0.4 tonnes, fell on him as he was closing it.
In a hearing at Stafford Crown Court this week, the firm was fined £22,000 with costs of £18,000 after it pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation, by failing to maintain equipment and devices.
Rachel Bradshaw, HSE inspector said: "There was a very obvious defect on this gate that a simple visual check would have identified. A few moments work would have prevented this tragedy from occurring."
The Health and Safety Commission and the HSE were originally established as part of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974 and were two separate bodies.
However, they became a single regulatory body from April 2008.
