Robert Stevenson appears in proceedings arising from serious workplace injury at manufacturing firm .
Park Square BarristersOn 15th July 2022, Midland Steel Limited received a fine of £450,000 and was ordered to pay prosecution costs in the sum of £41, 239 upon conviction for several health and safety offences.
The offences included:
- two offences of failing to prevent employees from accessing dangerous parts of machinery, contrary to Reg 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, resulting in an amputated finger for one employee and a fractured hand for another;
- two offences of failing to ensure that its work equipment, namely a Forklift Truck, was maintained in safe working order[1] and had been thoroughly examined every twelve months, contrary to Reg 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Reg 9(3) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998; and
- an overarching offence of failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees whilst at work, contrary to s.2 and s.33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, arising from systemic failings in its health and safety procedures.
The sentencing judge at Durham Crown Court found that the offences were at the most serious end of the scale, resulting as they did in serious harm to one employee and putting at risk many others. The judge indicated that the fine would have been far higher had the company finances been in a better position.
[1] Failure to comply with Reg 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
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Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603