Leisure giant Centre Parcs pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 after an eight year old child fell three metres from a tree whilst on an organised tree climbing activity.

A Central Bedfordshire Council investigation into the incident that occurred at Woburn Forest Village on 22 October 2015, found that a Center Parcs employee was responsible for supervising seven children. The employee had been tasked with providing a safety talk, fitting a harness on each child, and clipping each child to the fall-arrest system before the activity started.

One of the children started to climb the tree without being clipped to the fall arrest system. When she had climbed up to approximately 3 metres, she fell and broke her wrist.

George Green’s Regulatory and Licensing Partner, James Lowe stated “This fine again reflects the increase in penalties that are being handed down for breaches of health and safety legislation.  Companies should ensure that their systems and procedures are robust and should satisfy themselves that they are properly implemented across their business.”

If you should have any questions about your legal obligations in relation to health and safety in the workplace and need a specialist solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.