Hotel operator admits health and safety breach after workplace …
A hotel operator in Rutland[1] has been ordered to pay nearly £200,000 after they admitted to a breach of health and safety law following a serious accident which left an employee with life-changing injuries. Barnsdale Hall Hotel pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety law after an investigation on behalf of Rutland County Council found significant deficiencies in the defendant’s risk assessments, level of training and instruction, safe use of machinery and system of work when carrying out non-routine tasks.
Two employees, including Mr Andrew Veasey, were carrying out the 'non-routine' task of removing a loose tree branch in May 2021 when Mr Veasey was raised up in a 'non-integrated working platform' that was attached to a JCB vehicle parked across a slope. The vehicle toppled over when the platform was raised and crushed the roof of a car before plummeting into a bank.
Mr Veasey suffered serious injuries and had to be resuscitated at the scene. The life-changing injuries he suffered left him no longer able to care for himself.
An example of the platform similar to the one used in the accident. (Image: Getty Images)
The case was heard at Leicester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September, 19, where the defendant pleaded guilty to a Section 2 offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, whereby it is the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
Barnsdale Hall Hotel was ordered to pay a fine of £146,700, together with £50,000 awarded for costs and a £190 surcharge. Councillor Christine Wise, from Rutland County Council, said: “This is an extremely serious case where failure to put appropriate health and safety measures in place has caused life-changing injuries to an individual, as well as irreparable damage to a family that will never be the same again.
“The sentence imposed on the Defendant following their guilty plea should serve as a clear warning that employers have a duty of care towards their staff and action will be taken in response to breaches of health and safety law.”
Barnsdale Hall Hotel was purchased in 2020 by the family behind Cofresh, the Leicester-based snacks empire, and was rebranded Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa in September 2021 after extensive refurbishment.
References
- ^ Rutland (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Lorry flees crash as cyclist in hospital with serious injuries (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)