Masonry manufacturer fined for unmaintained safety enclosure

A manufacturer of concrete blocks has been fined for failing to maintain the safety enclosure of the cubing area in the block plant.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that, in April 2018, an inspection of Lignacite Limited’s premises on High Street, Brandon found a large area of perimeter fencing set up to prevent access to dangerous automated machinery was missing. Other sections of the fencing were found to be in poor condition and locks at the gated entry points were either broken or left unlocked.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that parts of the perimeter fencing had not been in place since January 2018. The company had also failed to carry out any maintenance necessary to ensure the integrity of the fencing and gates.

Lignacite Limited of Norfolk House, High Street, Brandon pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and have been fined £70,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £12,232.02.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Saffron Turnell said: “This was a case of the company failing to ensure the maintenance of the secure and gated entry to access multiple items of dangerous machinery and equipment.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards and this is irrespective of whether injury has arisen.”

Source HSE 21 January 2020