Carpet wrongs

Prosecutions and Claims |
15.09.2007

A carpet retailer's refusal to respond to repeated warnings about the dangers of unsafe working at height has cost it £45,500. Carpetright admitted six breaches of health and safety law at its Gloucester store between July 2004 and May 2006.

Despite warnings and advice from Gloucester City Council about the risk of falls, the firm continued to let staff climb on a roof in the warehouse and climb racking using unsafe and unsuitable equipment.

On 11 July, Gloucester magistrates fined Carpetright £12,000 and £14,000 for two breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to ensure employees' safety; £6500 for three charges under Regulation 5 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations for not implementing control measures; and £3000 under Regulation 6(2) of the Work at Height Regulations for allowing employers to work at height when it could have been avoided. Carpetright must also pay £10,000 in costs.