An outdoor activity centre near Bath has been ordered to pay £33,000 after a member of the public suffered a fractured hip during a quad bike accident. The incident has been described as an 'illustration of the importance of implementing correct safety policies and procedures, and ensuring these are adhered to'.
After receiving a complaint following the incident on 24th May 2015, council investigators discovered that staff had not received formal training in riding quad bikes and were not adhering to risk assessments. Failings were also found in how the quad course's concrete walls were maintained, as well as inadequate procedures to monitor and review the design and construction of the tracks to ensure that they remained suitable for their intended use.
In sentencing, District Judge Taylor said: "You can have the most wonderful risk assessments and policies in place but if they are not monitored and reviewed then they are worthless."
After arguing that the injury was a result of an isolated incident - which was rejected - the company pleaded guilty to an offence under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
Councillor Bob Goodman, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and development at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said the case "Illustrates the importance for businesses to not only have the correct safety policies and procedures in place, but also to make sure they're adhered to - day in, day out - and ensure that risks to public health are addressed".
SG World's solutions help to build policies and procedures into daily processes, making adhering to health & safety easy. Our tools also help to build a safety first culture on site with our vast behavioural based safety portfolio. Items range from Behavioural Based Safety signage, tools and documentation, to Pre-use Inspection Books and Near Miss Reporting Books.