Off-site H&S responsibilities raised following work
accident
Health & Safety update 07/10/2011
Businesses across the UK are being reminded about their off-site
health and safety (H&S) responsibilities, following a workplace
accident at a Kent-based firm.
Although most businesses are aware of their safety duties
towards staff whilst they are on-site, many are unaware that these
responsibilities still apply even when workers are off-site.
Earlier this year, an employee of Kent-based cardboard box maker
W.E. Roberts (Corrugated) Ltd suffered serious head injuries after
an incident at work.
The man was delivering boxes to an address in East Sussex when
the pallet they were on snapped and he fell backwards from the
lorry onto the pavement 1.5 metres below.
Following the workplace accident, the firm was prosecuted and
fined £20,000 plus costs of £12,190 by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) for failing in their H&S responsibilities
towards the staff member.
Michelle Taylor, HSE Inspector said, “The company failed to
adequately consider the risks that delivery drivers face when they
are not on site. This led to this severe and entirely preventable
incident which has had such a long-lasting and devastating effect
on this worker.
“The outcome of this case reinforces the responsibility that
employers have to all of their workers, wherever they are, not just
those on site under constant supervision,” she added.
If you would like further information,
and already subscribe to
RBS
Mentor, please call
the Advice
Service. If you would like more information on
how Mentor could help your business in situations like this and
many others, contact
us today for
information.
Next Story - UK to push for farm subsidy
reform
Previous story - Dirty desks contributing
to winter health warnings