Cleaner falls 3m

Prosecutions and Claims |
01.02.2007

Single Source, a condiment-packaging company, has been fined after its failure to operate a safe system of work led to a 70-year-old cleaner falling three metres, fracturing his spine and both heels. In August 2005, Jim Morgan was working a night shift in a loading bay area on a mezzanine floor at Single Source's site at Stafford Park, Telford. Another employee was operating an electric pallet truck to move hoppers carrying salt and sugar. He was unable to see Morgan standing in the loading-bay area and the truck struck Morgan's back, pushing him over the edge of the floor. On 15 December, Single Source pleaded guilty at Telford Magistrates' Court to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £5,000 plus £1,434 costs.