16-01-2008
HSE issues warning to businesses over risk assessments
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Britain's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to businesses over the need to conduct adequate risk assessments.
The organisation has issued its warning following the prosecution of a firm in Suffolk in relation to a factory explosion in 2005.
Following the incident, an employee was left with a number of severe burns.
"This was a breach of obligation to its staff, indicative of failure by the company to appreciate the risks from such work, which inevitably lead to an explosion and injury to an employee," said John Hawkins, HM inspector of health and safety.
"HSE believe that it was important to proceed with the prosecution in the public interest."
As a consequence of the incident, the firm was found to have been in breach of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and ordered to pay a fine of £410,000, including costs.
In partnership with local authorities, the HSE enforces the work of the Health and Safety Commission.