IPSWICH: A leading Ipswich-based timber importer has been ordered to pay more than �10,000 for breaching health and safety regulations after admitting putting members of the public at risk.

IPSWICH: A leading Ipswich-based timber importer has been ordered to pay more than �10,000 for breaching health and safety regulations after admitting putting members of the public at risk.

Anglo Norden Forest Products Ltd, based at Eagle Wharf in Helena Road, pleaded guilty to one charge of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974.

The charge related to the lack of segregation of the company's work vehicles, including forklift trucks, and the public, who were able to walk and cycle alongside the dangerous vehicles, on and before July 4, 2007.

At South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday CCTV images were played showing members of the public being put at risk by the movement of vehicles and cargo at the company's base.

District Judge David Cooper fined the company �3,000 and ordered them to pay �10,765, including prosecution costs.

He said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were right to prosecute, intervening before any accident could take place.

Jon Elven, HSE Inspector of Health and Safety, said: “Every year about 50 people are killed in incidents involving workplace transport.

“This case demonstrates the importance of properly managing the risks from work vehicles where members of the public have access.

“HSE will not hesitate to take action when people are put at risk - even if, as in this case, no incident has occurred.”

The company, one of the largest privately owned timber importers and agents in the country, declined to comment.

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