Legal News
Supplier prosecuted after guy ropes on circus tent snap (29 February 2016)
Date: 29/02/2016
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted the owner of a company which supplies marquees and tents, after guy ropes securing a circus tent snapped, causing it to collapse and injure three adults and five children.
The incident on 10 August 2014 at Burley Park in the New Forest in Hampshire occurred when a sudden gust of wind blew through the circus tent – eighteen of the guy ropes which secured the tent failed and snapped.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the incident found that Happy Promotions Limited had in December 2013 taken their tent for inspection and repair to Jose’s Marquees.
Josie Routledge of Jose’s Marquees was asked by Happy Promotions to replace the guy ropes.
However, the court heard the guy ropes supplied were made up of unrated webbing and had no safe working load, which led to the incident at Burley Park eight months later.
On 24 February at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Josie Routledge of Tyn-y-cym, Bwlch-y-Ffridd in Newtown, Powys was found guilty of breaching Section 6(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Routledge was fined £528.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Johnson said:
“The fact the guy ropes snapped rather than the pegs being pulled from the ground is a clear indication that the fault lies with the strength of the guy ropes, rather than the method of erection.
“Fortunately, the tent was empty at the time of the incident – had a performance been underway, there would have been performers and around 30 people were due to attend the afternoon performance.
“Were the tent occupied, the collapse would likely have resulted in multiple serious injuries.”
Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Public Liability Claims
Duncan Lewis can advise those injured in public places as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims relating to:
• Agricultural shows
• Cinemas, concert halls and theatres
• Circuses
• Leisure centres
• Open air events
• Parks and playgrounds
• Public highway
• Shopping malls
• Sports events
• Zoos and petting zoos.
Personal injury claims have to be made within three years of injury – children can claim personal injury compensation up to the age of 21.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Public Liability Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.