Company liable for negligence...at a pinch

A printing company was recently prosecuted in respect of inadequate health and safety precautions at their plant in Bridge of Allan.

The company was fined £20,000.00 after an employee's index finger became trapped in a printing press. The court was satisfied that the company had failed to provide enough information, instruction, training and supervision. 

Whilst this action was not a civil action raised by the employee; employers owe their employee's a duty of care to ensure that their work environment is safe and that they are provided with adequate equipment and training to carry out their job safely. In the event that an employer fails to fulfil this duty of care the employee will have a right to sue the employer for damages directly arising from this negligence. 

As businesses compete with the pressures of COVID and Brexit it may seem tempting to "cut corners" when it comes to putting in place adequate safeguards in the work place but this prosecution and the risk of civil action for damages ought to warn employers that this would be a "penny wise, pound poor" strategy.

Read the COPFS media release regarding the prosecution.