A Lancaster manufacturing company has been fined for health and safety failures following an incident in which one of the factory workers was injured when a metal floor gave way under his feet.
Lancaster Magistrates’ Court heard that the 39-year-old man had been helping to hose down machinery during a two-week shutdown at the factory. As he stepped on to a section of the mezzanine floor, six metres above the ground, the metal grating gave way. His arms and jaw hit the floor as he fell but he managed to pull himself up. He suffered bruising and friction burns to his chest and arms and also bruised his jaw. He was fortunate not to have suffered more serious injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company did not have a suitable inspection and maintenance regime for checking the floor at the factory, even though it was in a humid area and at risk of becoming unstable due to rust.
Northern Tissue Group (Papermill) Limited (NTG) pleaded guilty to a breach of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 by failing properly to maintain the mezzanine floor and was fined £10,000. The company was also ordered to pay £5,866 in prosecution costs.
HSE Inspector Anthony Banks said, “The employee at NTG was lucky he was able to grab onto the mezzanine floor as he fell. If he had fallen all the way to the concrete below then he could have been killed.
“The incident happened in a very humid area of the factory and the company should have done more to make sure metal grates which make up the walkway didn’t become unsafe.
“Companies shouldn’t just wait for employees to be injured before taking any action to improve safety. It’s vital that proper maintenance systems are in place to protect workers.”
Contact Mike Sutton on 0808 166 8798 or email pi@sydneymitchell.co.uk in realtion to any personal injury claims.
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