A Battersea, Great Britain laundry firm showed scant regard for employee wellbeing and safety after ignoring instructions to make it easier and safer for workers to move heavy loads of laundry, London magistrates heard recently.
According to a report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Niva UK (Ltd), trading as Sunbeam Laundry, failed to act on two separate Improvement Notices served by HSE following a routine inspection of its premises at the London Stone Business Estate, on Broughton Street. (WCxKit)
The first Improvement Notice required the removal of bags of laundry and other items from walkways, including a stairway, and the entrance to a female staff toilet. The second required an urgent review and improvements to reduce the lifting and handling of laundry.
City of London Magistrates Court heard that when HSE made a return inspection two months later, Niva had done nothing to comply with either notice. Employees were still carrying heavy loads through blocked walkways and were routinely risking tripping and falling as a result. (WCxKit)
The company pleaded guilty to two separate breaches of Section 33 (1) (g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for failing to take action and was fined $3,155.6 and ordered to pay $7,986.32 in costs.
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