Private healthcare provider fined for health and safety breaches
A healthcare provider offering private services is being fined. The provider operated in Ipswich managing a hospital, but there were safety failings at the hospital. An employee suffered from a kneecap fracture during a health and safety breach incident. The worker was hurt in 2011 working in a clinic room. The floor was wet, mopped by a housekeeper during an extremely busy period. The worker moved quickly in the room to get medicine and fell due to the wet floor. She had to have her knee operated on at the same hospital and walk with a leg brace and crutches for four months.
It took an additional ten months before she could return to work and conduct light duties. She is still taking medication because of the pain in her knee. She may need more surgery on her knee to get better movement. The courts heard about the health and safety audits conducted because of the incident. The healthcare provider was found at fault. The fault lies with section 2(1) of the safety act. The fees are approximately £15,000 for the fine and court costs. There was a £15 surcharge for the services used in finding victim statements and witnesses to the incident. It seems that the incident happened because the housekeeping was going on during a busy time and furthermore there was no clear marking that the floor was wet. The incident could have been prevented and therefore a fine would not have been levied.
