Health and Safety Executive
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Employer fined after member of the public injured

The owner of a fencing company has been fined after a member of the public was injured at the business premises in Whittington Hill, Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Justice Centre heard George Hallas visited the site of Acorn Fencing, (owned by Michael James Bend) to purchase and collect fencing materials. While he was moving the materials Mr Hallas was struck by a reversing fork lift truck being operated by an Acorn employee.

Mr Hallas suffered fractures to his legs, ankles and feet as a result of this incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Michael James Bend failed to implement a safe system of work which clearly segregated pedestrians and workplace transport.

The defendant of Tapton View Road, Chesterfield pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and fined £3032 and ordered to pay costs of £1627.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Martin Waring said: “This incident could have been prevented had Mr Bend implemented a safe system of work and properly informed his employees.”

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk[1][1]
  2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ link to external website[2][2]
  3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
Channel website: http://www.hse.gov.uk

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