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Garage In Bembridge Fined After 2018 Employee Pit Fall

Photo from Google Maps.

A garage in Bembridge has been fined after an employee suffered life-changing injuries after falling into a vehicle inspection pit in 2018.

GP Motor Works has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

The incident happened on September 3, 2018, as Isle of Wight Radio reported at the time.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard how the person in question fell into a pit, which was more than five feet deep.

They were carrying out mechanical repairs to a nearby vehicle.

The pit was partially covered with a small vehicle leaving around seven feet of the pit uncovered and without any other measures in place to prevent exposing employees to an unnecessary fall risk.

The employee sustained serious head and shoulder injuries, which required surgery.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to ensure the pit had any physical measures, such as barriers or pit covers, in place to prevent a person falling into it.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kate Clark said:

“Serious injuries or death can be prevented if basic safeguards such as barriers or pit covers are put in place. There is clear guidance for garages about vehicle inspection pits.”

GP Motor Works Ltd of Embankment Road, Bembridge, Isle of Wight pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

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