Based in Droitwich, Worcestershire, the exhibition display manufacturer pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Worcester Magistrates’ Court. It was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay legal costs of £1,179.

The court heard that the worker was injured when a stack of panels toppled over on top of him. As a result, his shoulder was dislocated and his arm fractured. Several smaller panels had been resting against untied, upright 4x1m panels, which led to the whole stack becoming unstable and falling over.

In an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was found that Global had failed to identify the risks of storing timber boards close to work benches and thoroughfares used by employees. The firm had not provided a safe place to store boards, so they would not fall over and hurt staff.

HSE inspector Alastair Mitchell said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out a risk assessment in relation to the storage of display panel boards. This would have identified the risks from unsafe stacking and the need for appropriate control measures, such as a method for storing boards safely.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Global Displays handles the design, fabrication, build and transport of exhibition displays and stands, which includes in-house printing services.

The company declined a request for comment from PrintWeek.