
![]() |
Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
![]() |
Kelly Rose
Editor |
Home> | Industry Update | >Company News | >National furniture company fined £1million for safety failings |
National furniture company fined £1million for safety failings
27 February 2017
DFS Trading has been fined after safety failings which led to serious neck and head injuries of a worker.
Derby Magistrates’ Court heard that on 2 July 2015 the worker was unloading wooden furniture frames at one of their upholstery sites, when he was struck by an unsecured furniture arm which fell from an unstable load.
The impact knocked him unconscious and he suffered serious neck and head injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that DFS failed to adequately manage the risks of heavy loads being moved between manufacturing sites. The court heard the company also failed to supervise the work taking place with a number of near misses being reported from unsecured loads.
Doncaster based DFS Trading pleaded guilty to breaching sections 3 of the Managing Health and Safety at Work Regulation and also section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and have been fined £1million and ordered to pay costs of £15,099.
Speaking after the case HSE inspector Lyn Spooner said: “DFS is a large national organisation. The fundamental and systemic failings identified in their health and safety management systems is far from what would be expected from a company of their size who has the ability to deliver higher standards of safety.
“Unfortunately DFS were unable to do that on this occasion and a preventable accident was allowed to occur.”
- Hydraulic company sentenced after employee blinded in one eye
- HSE carrying out unannounced inspections
- Two construction companies fined after carbon monoxide enters property
- HSE chair made a Dame in New Year’s Honours List
- HSE to prosecute manufacturing company following Red Arrow pilot death
- Fee for Intervention should stay, says report
- Haulage firm fined after worker crushed
- London Borough Council fined after HSE investigation
- Company exposes family to risk of asbestos
- Roofing company fined after worker’s death