A leading expert in regulatory law recently completed the successful prosecution of a Cradley Heath timber merchant for a breach in health and safety.

Tim Pole, of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, led the prosecution at Wolverhampton Crown Court of Palmer Timber following an accident in which two men were hit by a combi lift truck as they were loading a lorry at the firm’s Granville Works site.

The first man suffered serious injuries including a fractured eye socket and a broken collarbone, while the second man sustained a broken ankle.

Palmer Timber admitted failing to ensure the safety of workers after the two men who had both been wearing high visibility jackets were injured in the incident in February 2015.

The firm was ordered to pay £730,000 for exposing workers to the “risk of harm on a daily basis”. 

Judge Barry Berlin said the company fell far short of the good standards to ensure safety, and that at the time of the accident there were six to seven lorries, forklift trucks and staff working in the same area.

For a full report of the court case, follow the link: http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/16314406.Firm_fined_after_men_hit_by_truck/

Tim Pole, who has recently been appointed as Joint Head of the Regulatory Group at No5, has a wealth of experience in dealing with regulatory offences, and in 2012 was appointed to the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety. He regularly trains HSE inspectors in relation to case preparation and presentation.

Tim is regularly instructed at the pre-charge stage to advise prosecuting authorities in relation to the bringing of cases and to advise defendant companies and individuals subjected to health and safety investigations and has prosecuted and defended in cases involving serious injury and death. He has prosecuted significant companies such as Warburtons, Poundstretcher and Tayto, and is regularly instructed in high profile case by HSE and local authorities.

View Tim Pole’s profile here.