Timber Company Fined For Failures On Wood Dust And Lift Truck Controls

Brief Summary

Health and safety inspectors issued improvement notices after finding a timber processing employer had not protected workers from wood dust risks and had not trained staff to operate rider operated lift trucks. The employer failed to comply with the notices and pleaded guilty to offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The case shows the practical and legal consequences of not acting on regulator notices and of gaps in training and health management.

What Was The Incident?

Inspectors found workers at a sawmill were exposed to wood dust without adequate controls and that staff who used rider operated lift trucks had not been properly trained. Respiratory protective equipment was not face fit tested and employees were not under suitable health surveillance for wood dust exposures. The regulator served three improvement notices requiring action, which the employer did not carry out.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to multiple offences including a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and contravening the requirements of three improvement notices. The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs. The director pleaded guilty to contravening an improvement notice, was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs. The director was disqualified from acting as a company director for five years.

Key Points To Consider

Control of wood dust exposures. Review exposure assessments and engineering controls, confirm selection of appropriate respiratory protective equipment, complete face fit testing and set up health surveillance where wood dust presents a risk.

Lift truck training and competence. Check training records for staff who operate rider operated lift trucks, assess and record competence, provide refresher training and ensure supervisors monitor safe operation.

Responding to enforcement notices. Put a formal process in place to receive and act on improvement notices, assign clear responsibilities and deadlines and keep documentary evidence of the actions taken to demonstrate compliance to the regulator.

HSE Prosecution Link