Bakery wholesaler Ovenpride Wholesale Ltd has been fined after a man died from injuries sustained when he fell from a stepladder.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the Barnet-based wholesaler and manager Amjad Mahmood for failing to provide a safe system of work

On 22 April 2009, handyman Rocco Carfalo, who was employed as a casual worker at Ovenpride’s Finchley Road bakery, had been asked to build shelving in the storeroom by the site manager. He had been seen standing on a stepladder while carry out the work, but was later found lying on the floor, with a severe head wound. He died on 23 June as a result of his injuries.

Two HSE inspectors visited the scene of the accident. The stepladder was deemed to be in a very poor condition, and was taken from the bakery by the inspectors.

Following the hearing, at The City of London Magistrates’ Court, the HSE’s Inspector Charles Linfoot commented: “As the risk of a fall was foreseeable, Ovenpride and its manager should have carried out a full site-specific risk assessment and planned and organised the work to be carried out in a safe manner.”

Ovenpride Wholesale, of Empire Way, Brent pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined a total of £1.

Amjad Mahmood, 57, of Donnington Road, Brent pleaded guilty to also breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined a total of £300 and ordered to pay costs of £200.