Health and Safety Failings – Communications firm fined

Communications firm fined

Key Facts

• An HSE investigation was launched into a communications firm after a worker suffered serious injuries after being struck by a bus.
• The subsequent HSE investigation found that safe systems of work had not been maintained at the work site.
• The communication firm was find £12,000 and ordered to pay full costs.

The Case

A communications firm was investigated by the HSE after a worker was injured whilst laying pipe across a Northamptonshire road in May 2014.

During the relaying of the road surface, a worker was hit by a bus. The worker was seriously injured, suffering a dislocated knee alongside severe ligament and muscle damage.

The subsequent HSE investigation found that the firm had failed to maintain a safe place of work, failing to control a safe distance between workers and traffic. A 0.5m safety zone was not maintained between workers and traffic, and there were no other control measures in place.

The case was heard at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 5 Jan 2016 where the firm pleaded guilty to breaching breaching Regulation 26(2) of the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007. They were fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,293.

What the law states

Regulation 26(2) of the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007 states that:

‘Every place of work shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for, and without risks to health to, any person at work there.’

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