HSE | A Cornwall-based timber company and its director have been fined £20,000 after failing to comply with a series of enforcement notices issued by health and safety inspectors.
Truro Sawmills Limited and its Managing Director, Alistair Wright, were fined after failing to comply with improvement notices served by the HSE.
Truro Sawmills Limited supplies timber and manufactures gates, fencing panels and garden furniture, processed at its sawmill in Penhallow, Truro. The company was served with Improvement Notices after HSE inspectors found that employees were not being protected from the ill health risks arising from wood dust, nor the safety risks associated with the use of rider-operated lift trucks in the workplace. If not properly controlled, wood dust can cause asthma, respiratory conditions and cancer.
The HSE’s investigation found that employees had not been appropriately trained to use rider-operated lift trucks. Staff had also not been face fit tested for respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to protect them from wood dust and were not under suitable health surveillance.
The investigation determined that Truro Sawmills Limited had failed to comply with its legal duty under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and had contravened the requirements of three Improvement Notices served by HSE to protect its workers.
Alistair Wright, the company’s Managing Director, also pleaded guilty to contravening the requirements of an Improvement Notice. The HSE applied for Mr Wright to be disqualified from acting as a company director under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
Truro Sawmills Limited, of Penhallow, Truro, TR4 9NF, pleaded guilty to four counts, including breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and contravening the requirements imposed by three Improvement Notices, contrary to Section 33(1)(g) of the Act.
Alistair Wright, Managing Director of Truro Sawmills Limited, pleaded guilty to one count of contravening a requirement imposed by an Improvement Notice, contrary to Section 33(1)(g) and Section 37(1) of the Act.
The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs. Mr Wright was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs. The court granted HSE’s application to disqualify Mr Wright from acting as a company director for a period of five years.
HSE principal inspector Melissa Lai-Hung said: “Exposure to wood dust can cause asthma, respiratory conditions and cancer – yet this firm failed to act on legally-binding notices served by health and safety inspectors to protect their workforce.
“We also found workers hadn’t been properly trained to use lift trucks, creating very real dangers for those onsite.
“Firms should be left in no doubt that companies and individuals who do not comply with health and safety legislation will be held accountable.”
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Robert James and paralegal officer Mike Millman.
