Asons Solicitors Warn of Negligence after Surrey Firm fined for Health and Safety Breach
Bolton, United Kingdom (PRWEB UK) 27 July 2013 -- The injured employee, who was only 15 at the time of the incident, was engulfed by a fireball as he used petrol as a catalyst to burn scrap car parts, suffering serious burns to his face, neck, chest and arms. (1)
A second worker, also a teenager, sustained minor flash burns as a result of this negligence. The accident took place at a site belonging to Grublogger Ltd at Brookside Farm in Salfords, near Redhill, on 24 March 2012. (1)
The Tadworth-based company, that specialises in the trade of used Jaguar spares, was prosecuted (22 July) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation identified serious concerns regarding various health and safely breaches. (1)
Redhill Magistrates’ Court was informed that that a number of teenagers were employed by the firm to break down old Jaguar cars and to salvage any available parts that could be sold on as spares. (1)
Grublogger rented a unit at Brookside Farm , shiring access to a skip. The skip was frequently used as a makeshift incinerator by all the tenants. (1)
The workers had been instructed to burn unwanted parts in the skip, using petrol that had been siphoned off from old cars within the unit. (1)
The HSE established that they did so with the blessing of the managing director, who authorised the practice and regularly sanctioned the unsafe method of waste disposal. (1)
The court was told it was completely unnecessary to burn the unwanted parts in the skip, and that the workers had received no formal training or instruction. They had been left to their own devices, and opted for a method that posed a clear risk. (1)
HSE inspectors also identified other health and safety breaches, including those in relation to the storage and control of petrol and sources of ignition in the company’s unit. (1)
Speaking after the event, Thomas Fairclough, Asons Executive stated that:
“An accident at work of this kind is devastating and very unfortunate; however, it could easily have been prevented had the correct health and safety guidelines had been in place. I can only hope that other employers will learn from this terrible accident, and that similar health and safety breaches do not occur.”
Grublogger Ltd, of Brighton Road, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, was fined a total of £23,000 and ordered to pay £5,113 in costs. They pleaded guilty to single breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Court reference number(LSE/13 ) (1)
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Andrew McGill commented:
"This was a wholly preventable incident arising from a clearly dangerous practice that should never have been allowed.
"Young people need careful management and proper supervision in the workplace, with the onus on dutyholders to provide additional protection because they inherently lack experience and maturity. The training, instruction and supervision in this case were clearly inadequate in this regard.
"There was no need to use the skip as an incinerator, and if burning waste was the preferred method of disposal then it should have been done properly, using the proper equipment and with proper management and control measures." (1)
Asons Solicitors suggest that if someone would like to learn more about the consequences of an accident at work, or if they would like to better understand the health and safety breach compensation process, that information is available at http://www.asons.co.uk, or via an expert helpline on 01204 521 133
(1) Surrey breaker company fined for skip fire failings - http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-ldn-grublogger-ltd.htm?eban=rss- - HSE July 2013
ENDS
About Asons Solicitors:
Asons Solicitors is a Bolton-based law practice that specialises in personal injury and industrial disease claims. Founded by brothers Imran Akram and Kamran Akram, Asons Solicitors has developed to become a young and dynamic law firm that delivers practical solutions to clients in times of difficulty. Their continued focus on their staff has seen them awarded with the Investors in People “Gold Award”; which is reflected in the professional and personable approach they take in working with clients. They strive to grow and to develop, and their supportiveness and attention to detail ensures that their clients use them time and again.
For further information contact:
Email: info(at)asons(dot)co.uk
Website: http://www.asons.co.uk
John King, Asons Solicitors, http://www.asons.co.uk, 08448 408 012, [email protected]
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