A company from Hertfordshire has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a worker fell at one of its factories. It may now need to rely on its employers’ liability insurance if the injured employee decides to pursue compensation.
Benchmark Fabrication Ltd was investigated by the HSE and order to pay fines of £20,000 after 47-year-old employee Denis Cronin fell six feet from warehouse racking to a wooden pallet below. He seriously injured his pelvis in the fall, and needed at least three months to fully recover.
HSE officers looking into the incident discovered that Mr Cronin had been told by his manager to climb parts of the racking like he would a ladder. Although an extremely dangerous thing to do, it appeared to be standard practice at the firm’s warehouse.
As Mr Cronin’s employer, Benchmark Fabrication Ltd had a responsibility to look after his health and safety whilst at work. Due to its failure to do so, the company received a hefty fine. If Mr Cronin decides to file for injury compensation, the firm will have to rely on its employers’ liability insurance, which all employers’ are required by law to have, to cover any damages awarded.