NEWSFLASH IN THE COURTS
POUNDSTRETCHER RETURNS TO COURT FOR 16TH
H&S PROSECUTION Discount retailer Poundstretcher has been fined and left with a bill of nearly £80,000 after dangerously storing and overstocking goods in its warehouse.
South Kesteven District Council prosecuted the Poundstretcher store in Stamford for three offences under health and safety legislation at its Markham Retail Park base after an inspection found its walkways and fire exits were obstructed by stock in June 2014.
Lincoln Crown Court heard that goods were also being stored on an unguarded roof space and being stacked high and unevenly, potentially endangering staff.
Following a complaint by a member of staff to the council’s Environmental Health team, problems were also witnessed with pigeons nesting in the warehouse causing a build up of droppings in the work area and faeces being left on product packaging.
The firm had previously pleaded guilty to all offences at Grantham Magistrates’ Court.
GLOUCESTER FIRM FINED AFTER ELDERLY TENANT PUT
AT RISK A Gloucester firm has been sentenced for safety failings after refurbishment work on her home left an elderly tenant at risk from a dangerous gas heater.
The woman’s home in Coral Close, Holmleigh, was one of 67 properties
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Citing Poundstretcher’s poor health and safety record, including 15 other cases of the firm being prosecuted for similar offences nationally in recent years, the judge fined the company £65,000 for the three offences and ordered it to pay £13,968 costs.
Judge Mr Recorder Stephen Lowne said the company’s behaviour was “disgraceful, unacceptable and a clear and obvious risk to staff”.
The council had previously prosecuted the Stamford store in August 2011 for three offences under health and safety legislation in relation to the poor storage of stock in the warehouse when they were fined £22,500.
that had been refurbished in 2012 as part of a large project undertaken by Mears Ltd for a social housing landlord.
Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court heard that two Gas Safe engineers called at the house in August 2013 to carry out a routine annual service of the gas appliances. The court was told that the engineers found the gas-powered warm air unit at the property had been left in a dangerous condition.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that essential combustion ventilation required for the gas power unit had been cladded over and the flue had
Later this year, it is introducing an initiative to increase education among similar retailers in the pound store style market with each receiving a letter advising of unannounced inspections aimed at ensuring safe working environments for employees and customers.
SKDC’s executive manager for environment, Ian Yates, said: “To support retailers in this sector of the market we want to work with them to ensure their practices are robust and up to date.
“Among our priorities is to help grow the economy in the district and we want to help businesses flourish as getting health and safety right makes good business sense.”
been removed and the roof fitted over the top, leaving it to discharge into the loft.
The court was told that no blood tests had been taken from the elderly tenant, but it could not be ruled out that she was not exposed to significant carbon monoxide levels as she had suffered from numerous health problems in 2013.
Mears Ltd, of Montpellier Court, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,587 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
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