Stairlift offence (From Penarth Times)

Stairlift offence

THE OWNERS of a Penarth residential home for the elderly have been ordered to pay more than 2,000 for a breach of health and safety legislations.

The owners of the Harbour Heights complex at Beach Road, Drs Abu Jafar Mohammed Rahman and his wife Nasima Akhtar Rahman, appeared at Barry Magistrates' Court.

They were each fined 1,000 after admitting an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974.

The couple, who live at Litchard Hill, Bridgend, were also ordered to pay costs of 194.64.

Prosecuting for the Vale Council, Richard Price said a Prohibition Notice in respect of the use of two of the home's four stairlifts was served after environmental health officers discovered the items did not have the necessary fitted seat belts.

The lifts were tagged and labelled.

On a follow up visit to ensure the stairlifts were not being used, added Mr Price, the officers discovered the tags had been discarded and the labels damaged.

County court Judge Charles said that the couple had deliberately ignored the notice and that the public needed to have confidence that health and safety in such establishments was taken seriously.