Kent packaging firm fined after fall from height

A packaging company in Otford, Sevenoaks, has been fined following an incident which occurred when a worker fell off a ladder.

C & S Packaging also failed to implement safety procedures after being warned by Sevenoaks District Council, following the incident in 2014.

Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court heard that the worker had been working on a ladder that was damaged, causing him to lose his footing and fall to the floor, breaking his ankle. The council ordered the company to put a health and safety policy in place, and also remove a forklift truck, as it was unsafe. However, a follow-up visit by the council four months after the initial visit found that no action had been taken by the firm.

The company pleaded guilty to a breach of the health and safety regulations earlier this year, resulting in a fine of more than £8,000 plus costs. A spokesperson for the council said that the team had uncovered other breaches of the safety regulations during the investigation, including a lack of forklift truck driver training and dangerous equipment. A further visit to the site a week later discovered further breaches, including a lack of electrical safety reports and no training records for staff.

Matthew Dickins, the Sevenoaks District Councillor, said that simple checks, supervision, training and inspections could have prevented the incident.

Many of the accidents that occur in the workplace can be avoided with the use of PPE, workwear and risk assessments as part of a health and safety procedure.