A waste and recycling centre operator based in Wales has been fined, for failing to protect workers and members of the public from health and safety risks.
Sundorne Products (Llanidloes) Limited were subject to an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 6 October 2022, at their Llandrindod Wells Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Powys.
The visit identified multiple breaches of safety legislation, linked to failures in management and control measures.
Notably, the inspector took action whilst on site to prevent unrestricted access to three waste compactor machines, where controls and dangerous parts of the machines were dangerously exposed.
HSE issued formal legal charges to Sundorne Products (Llanidloes) Limited, and also took further enforcement action to ensure management arrangements and control measures were improved.
A full investigation followed, which identified that the risks associated with the compactors operation had not been adequately assessed. Workers were not provided with any clear instruction or training.
Pre-use checks for the compactors were considered inadequate, and there was no recognised safe method of clearing blockages within the compaction chambers.
Sundorne Products (Llanidloes) Limited of Potter House, Henfaes Lane, Welshpool, Powys, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,077 at a hearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court on 28 January 2025.
HSE inspector Joe Boast commented on the case:
“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working. The charges extend to failings in respect of risks to the public”.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
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Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
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