Suspended sentences have been handed to the two owners of a fencing contractor firm after a worker was injured by a falling post
Prosecutions have been levelled at the two owners of a Kidderminister-based fencing contractor. The heads of Hoo Farm Fencing were sentenced for health and safety failings after a worker was injured when timber posts and frames fell from a fork lift truck.
The incident, which occurred on the 12 February 2016, left worker Raymond Lainsbury with injuries that still require physiotherapy sessions to treat.
A number of health and safety failings were outlined when the case was brought before Worcester Magistrates’ Court. The evidence presented from the investigation process revealed how Lainsbury was dipping timber posts and frames in preservative when the incident occurred. The court was told how he was hit by falling timber posts and frames when they fell from the metal frame on the fork lift truck.
Safety failings
A subsequent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that the firm was not using equipment suitable for the task being carried out. Furthermore, the operator was not sufficiently trained to use the fork lift.
Other failings included the fact the fork lift was not up to the required standards.
Maurice James Blackford and Susan Hawthorne, the heads of the firm, pleaded guilty to safety breaches and received an 18 week sentence, suspended for two years. A fine of £10,000 was levelled at both defendants, and costs of £4,318 were split between them.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Tariq Khan said: “The seriousness of the safety failings could have resulted in much more severe injuries to Mr Lainsbury who was lucky to walk away from this incident.
“This case highlights the importance of maintaining proper safety practices and also all duty holders will be held accountable for failing to do so.”
