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PHW · Working at height · 2026-03-13

Greenhalgh's Craft Bakery Limited fined £16,667 after an employee fell disposing of waste from a pallet box

Bolton, Greater Manchester · Tameside Magistrates' Court

What happened

An employee standing on a pallet box to dispose of food waste into a skip fell and fractured their hip. The company had not carried out a proper risk assessment for skip loading, had not provided safe access equipment, and supervision was inadequate to stop the unsafe practice becoming routine.

Injuries: Hip fracture.

The breach

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The sentence

  • Fine: £16,667
  • Costs: £4,334
HSE inspector

“Employers should identify work-at-height activities and ensure safe access is available and used, with systems in place to identify and prevent unsafe practices.”

What would have prevented it

Ad hoc use of pallet boxes or other unsuitable items as makeshift steps must be identified and stopped through proper risk assessment and active supervision.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Training and H&S evidence for construction sites

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Safety pack

Working at height

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Quiz

Could you show a site manager today, in writing, that each operator is authorised to use your machines?

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Source: HSE press release, Bakery company fined after employee suffers hip fracture in fall