Council ordered to pay £215k in fines and costs over vehicle inspection pit risk
A London borough has been fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £65,000 in costs for failing to manage and control the risk of persons falling into vehicle inspection pits.
Southwark Crown Court heard how a visitor to the Wearside Service Centre in Ladywell fell into a pit striking her head while work was being undertaken at the site.
The court was told that Lewisham Council had failed to heed its own independent health and safety consultant’s findings from two sets of risk assessments that recommended guarding around or over the open pits.
The council ignored Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on the need to guard against persons falling into vehicle inspection pits.
Lewisham was found guilty of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE Inspector Ian Shearring said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work fatalities in this country. The risks associated with working at height are well-known.
“Lewisham Council had been repeatedly warned of the risk and what they needed to do, and have been held to account for failing to take adequate action to protect the health and safety of persons visiting their site.”
