Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery Limited has been fined following an incident in which an employee sustained a fractured hip after falling while working at height. The case was detailed by the Health and Safety Executive, with further information available in the original release here.
Employee injured in fall from pallet box
The incident took place on 15 April 2024 at the company’s site in Lostock, Bolton. An employee had been standing on a large plastic pallet box while disposing of food waste into a skip when they fell, resulting in a fractured hip.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive identified multiple failings. The company had not carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for loading skips and had not provided appropriate equipment to enable safe working at height. The investigation also found that inadequate supervision and monitoring had allowed unsafe practices involving working at height to become routine.
Company fined following prosecution
Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery Limited, based on Crescent Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £16,667 and ordered to pay costs of £4,333.66, along with a victim surcharge of £2,000. The sentencing took place at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 13 March 2026.
Working at height continues to be a leading cause of workplace injury and fatality. Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive outlines the need for proper planning of such activities, including the selection of appropriate equipment and the implementation of effective supervision.
HSE Inspector Leanne Ratcliffe stated that employers are required to carry out risk assessments, identify work at height activities, and ensure that safe access is both provided and used. She also highlighted the importance of having systems in place for supervision and monitoring to prevent unsafe practices.
The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and paralegal officer Hannah Snelling.
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