Plymouth business fined £31,000 after an accident on its premises
South West Welding Supplies had breached the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
A Plymouth-based business has been ordered to pay £31,000 in fines and costs, after an accident on its premises resulted in serious injuries to a visiting HGV driver.
South West Welding Supplies Ltd, trading from Belliver Way in Roborough, pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The firm was ordered to pay a £20,000 fine as well as £10,821 costs to Plymouth City Council and a victim surcharge of £181.
The prosecution was brought by Plymouth City Council after a visiting HGV Driver was injured on 9 December 2019 when a stack of industrial wooden pallets weighing in the region of 750kg fell from a forklift truck trapping him underneath.
He sustained injuries in to his head and ribs, as well as a broken leg and foot.
An investigation by Plymouth City Council established that South West Welding Supplies Ltd had failed in its obligations to ensure visitors to the site were not exposed to risks of injury.
Councillor John Riley, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Governance, HR, IT and Community Safety said:
"All employers have a duty to ensure that the businesses they operate are safe for employees and any visitors. It is not acceptable for anyone to sustain serious injuries simply for doing their job. We hope this prosecution sends a message that we won't tolerate firms not meeting their responsibilities to ensure people are safe in their workplace."