HSE takes stick to carrot company

Prosecutions and Claims |
01.06.2006

An organic food producer has paid more than £46,000 in fines, costs and compensation after a contractor and an employee were injured in two separate incidents.

In March 2004, contractor Jason Hall was working as a plumber at Isleham Fresh Produce in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire, which grows organic carrots and root vegetable for high street shops. The cage that was usually used for work at height was in use elsewhere, so Hall was lifted on a pallet on a forklift truck. A burst water pipe forced Hall off the pallet and he fell three metres, suffering a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder and a gash to his head.

In May 2004, employee Abdullah Nabizada broke his finger while trying to repair a machine. He was absent from work for three weeks.

Following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Isleham Fresh Produce was fined £14,000 for the injuries to Hall and £10,000 for Nabizada's injury. Hall received £5,000 compensation. Peterborough Magistrates also ordered the company to pay HSE costs of £17,478.