Food company fined after worker falls from ladder
A food manufacturing company has appeared in court after a worker fell from a ladder.
The Clarendon Food Company Limited of Bryn, Y Ffor, Pwllheli, Gwynedd appeared before Llandudno Magistrates’ Court in recent days.
The court heard how on April 6th, 2020, a worker was installing a security camera on the outside of the jam and preserve manufacturer’s production building in Pwllheli, using an unsecured ladder.
The ladder slipped, and the worker fell approximately 15ft. He sustained multiple fractures to his right arm, left leg, cheekbone and a dislocated backbone.
Company fined
A HSE-led investigation found the company had not “property planned” work at height. Furthermore, it had “not considered” alternative access equipment to allow safe working at height.
Also, it had not provided training to either the injured party or others in relation to working at height.
There was also a failure to ensure effective monitoring of work at height practices to identify any shortcomings in the company’s procedures, which the court heard, “had persisted for some time”.
The Clarendon Food Company Limited of Bryn, Y Ffor, Pwllheli, Gwynedd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The judge ordered the firm to pay £40,000 and costs of £5,344.30 (over €50,000).
Information and training
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Pendle said:
“Those in control of work at height have a responsibility to properly plan and supervise the work to ensure suitable equipment is selected.”
“They also should provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to workers.”
“This incident could have been avoided if it had been risk assessed, planned and suitable equipment selected, which employees were trained to use safely,” Pendle concluded.
Police arrest vet
Police have arrested four individuals, including a vet, in connection with animal health and welfare offences.
Officers from Police Scotland have charged the two males and two females for 19 offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
Read more on this news story.
