The parent company of Oak Furnitureland based in Swindon has been fined nearly £400,000 for failing to protect its employees from hazardous and explosive conditions.
What happened?
Investigations into the company began in 2016 following a complaint by a staff member. The Council’s Health Compliance Team visited the premises and were stunned to find that the company were preparing room divider sheets, which was not a registered activity at the warehouse.
Evidence showed the preparation of the sheets was taken out in a highly explosive environment and insufficient action was taken to reduce the risks.
Staff were provided with damaged or faulty facemasks and terrible working conditions, council officers served them with an immediate Prohibition Notice.
What was the outcome in court?
JB Global, which owns the furniture company, pleaded guilty to significant breaches of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations following a prosecution by Swindon Borough Council.
Judge Pattinson at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court ordered the company to pay fines totalling £398,000 and costs of £94,904.
JB Global was prosecuted for failing to prevent/control exposure of solvents and wood dust for its employees under DSEAR. They also failed to carry out risk assessments and prevent exposure to substances hazardous to health under COSHH.
There were two further charges brought against the company for failing to ensure the safety of its employees. A further charge of failing to ensure the safety of agency staff or contractors was also imposed against the company.
Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said:
“This prosecution and subsequent penalty highlight the importance of taking steps to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public.
The uncontrolled work activities being carried at the Cheney Manor site posed a very real risk of explosion, fire and potential long-term health conditions resulting from exposure to carcinogenic MDF dust and harmful chemicals.
The investigation also covered numerous manual handling accidents and work-place transport incidents, which resulted in injuries to employees.
We take breaches of health and safety laws extremely seriously and I would like to praise the diligence of our Health Compliance Team for carrying out this complex investigation and highlighting this extremely bad practice. I hope it serves as a reminder to all businesses of the need to put the health and safety of their employees at the forefront of their activities.”
Further information from the HSE can be found here;