The incident happened at Fairland House in Attleborough and was investigated by Breckland Council, which found that Ashley Care Homes Limited had breached health and safety regulations and failed to maintain safe systems of work.
The company did not contest the findings and was prosecuted at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. It was ordered to pay £29,000 to cover investigation costs, court time, and future enforcement and education initiatives.
Councillor Helen Crane, Breckland Council’s executive member for waste, environmental health, licensing and sustainability, said the case should act as a warning to businesses.
“This incident was totally avoidable and we would urge businesses to ensure they adopt robust safe systems of work to protect employees, contractors and the public,” she said.
“Breckland Council’s health and safety inspectors will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including prosecution in the most serious of cases. We hope this sends a clear message to businesses to adequately assess risks to health and safety and implement suitable and sufficient control measures.”
