An investigation by the HSE into a fatal accident during a school’s evening performance for family and friends of pupils, has culminated in The Leys & St Faith’s Foundation school, based in Cambridge, pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The case, heard at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard that in February 2017, a pupil’s family member was walking towards the school hall to attend the evening performance. She tripped over a small retaining wall, due to the area being poorly lit, and fell, sustaining a serious head injury. Tragically the woman died in hospital 6 days later.
The court heard that the school had failed to properly risk assess the area, including the potential for people to trip over the wall, and had failed to given any consideration to the lighting conditions, or highlight the presence of the wall.
The school were fined £52,800 and ordered to pay legal costs.
The HSE representative speaking after the hearing advised that this was a tragic accident could have been easily preventable had the school taken appropriate measures to identify the risks.
The case highlights the requirement for robust health and safety assessments in all public places. If you or a family member have been injured in a public place please contact one of our specialists today on 0161 696 6235 or complete our online enquiry form.
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