Accident at work news
02/09/2011

Handyman suffers fatal injuries in workplace accident

A London wholesale bakery has been prosecuted after an employee suffered fatal personal injuries in an accident at work.

The City of London Magistrates' Court heard how the employee, who worked as a handyman for the company, had been instructed to build some shelving in a storeroom at the Greater London premises.

The man had been seen earlier in the day working from a stepladder during the morning but at midday he was found flat on the floor suffering from a serious head injury. Two months after the accident the worker died from the head injuries he sustained in the fall from height accident.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued an immediate Prohibition Notice following the accident to prevent employees working at high levels, due to the unsatisfactory equipment which was being provided by the company.

Two HSE inspectors confiscated the stepladder which had been used by the handyman due to its poor condition.

Following a successful HSE prosecution, the firm admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £200.

An HSE inspector described the accident at work as being ‘easily preventable' had proper planning been carried out.