An engineering firm hired to replace machinery has been fined after a food factory employee was left with serious spine and pelvis injuries when he fell from a height.

Contractors Bedford Transmissions Limited, trading as BT Lerson, was employed by Veetee Rice to move and replace equipment at its factory in Strood.

In the lead up to the incident, Essex-based firm BT Lerson were working over the top of a hole where the employee fell and a court was told there were no suitable measures to prevent falls of their own workers.

BT Lerson then left the factory site with two unsecured aluminium plates covering the two-and-a-half metre drop with only plastic barrier tape marking the area.

The employee was cleaning the work area when he stood on the unsecured metal plates and fell through, on the night of August 17, 2020.

His spine and pelvis were damaged in several places which required a lengthy stay in hospital and meant that he was unable to return to work for several months.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that BT Lerson did not properly plan, appropriately supervise, or ensure that the work was carried out safely.

BT Lerson failed to identify the fall from height risk and necessary controls in their planning and did not take account of Veetee Rice’s employees who were working in the area.

The contractors pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 yesterday at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court.

They were fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,194.32.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Peter Bruce said: "This incident could have easily been avoided if Bedford Transmissions had properly supervised and planned this work, to ensure that the work was carried out so far as is reasonably practicable safely.

"Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. In 2021/22, falls from height accounted for 29 fatal injuries in the workplace.

"It is important that companies properly plan the work they are undertaking at height putting in place measures to protect their own employees as well as others who have access to their work area.

"It is also important that, when working at an external premise, employers work together and communicate how a site will be left and whether additional measures are needed."

Speaking to KentOnline about the case, director at BT Lerson Julian Bedford, said: "We have now completely reviewed our health and safety procedures and polices. We have also hired outside consultants to be permanently based to support us.

"We felt at the time it was secure but in hindsight it was not. Following our health and safety review, there would be a completely different procedure now. We have completely changed our health and safety approach.

"It was made clear in the case that we have no previous history with any health and safety issues. The company has been operating for 40 plus years and this is the first incident we have had."

Veetee Rice was not charged with any breaches relating to the incident.

The company's chairman Moni Varma said the employee had since left the company.

He added: "I do not want anybody hurt on my premises. Things like this sadden me, it is just something I can learn from.

"I wish it had not have happened in the first place and would not like it to happen again. We do care for all our employees.

"It has taught me that we have to be ultra careful and go beyond in who we hire. We have to be doubly careful on what they do."