South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 17/10/2013

Red Kite Baby Company Limited was fined £10,000 on October 14 for failing to ensure the safety of a contractor who fell from a roof at its warehouse on Beeches Industrial Estate.

Yate Magistrate’s Court heard that the man suffered a severely broken leg and hand and arm lacerations after a safety railing gave way while he was working on an internal roof in the warehouse.

As a result of the accident in 2011, the man still cannot fully close his hand and may suffer from hip pain for the rest of his life.

An accident investigation by South Gloucestershire Council’s environmental health team discovered that the railing, which had been fitted by the previous occupant of the warehouse, Elondale Limited, was wholly inadequate.

Red Kite, who occupied the warehouse after Elondale moved to Fishponds, had never checked the railing, put up a warning sign, or instructed the contractor to keep off the roof.

As a result of the investigation Elondale was also fined £10,000 last month after pleading guilty to putting its own employees at risk. The court was told that the safety railing had sections completely missing for a period while the firm occupied the premises.

Both companies were ordered to pay towards the council’s costs.

Council investigating officer Robin Clarke said, “This accident could have resulted in a death. As it is, the contractor has suffered life changing injuries, and it has led to the loss of the man’s business and the jobs that depended on it.”

He added, “The council has taken this case very seriously, and it should serve as a warning to other businesses that they need to take full responsibility for the safety of their employees, and contractors that work for them.”

Information and advice on health and safety at work is available from the council website at www.southglos.gov.uk/healthandsafety or by telephoning 01454 864137.