A firm has been fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £13,310 costs for failing to ensure the safety of its employees and the public.

Rollalong Ltd, which manufactures prefabricated buildings at Three Legged Cross's Woolsbridge industrial estate, admitted four charges of contravening health and safety legislation between April 8, 2003 and September 9, 2003.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard yesterday how the breaches had left one man paralysed.

Prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive, Charles Parry said agency worker Arthur Patterson had suffered devastating injuries on September 2 last year. The 45-year-old was rushed to hospital after a five metre by three metre panel, weighing 300 kgs, fell from a lifting table forcing his head through it and the rungs of a ladder he was holding.

There were two other recorded incidents when workers were hit by panels.

Defending Rollalong Ltd, William Hibbert said: "The accident involving Mr Patterson has sent a shock wave through the company.

"The tilting table design was fundamentally flawed. The company did perceive a risk but had not dealt with it adequately.

"Following Mr Patterson's accident there was an immediate response and changes in procedure. There is no question of putting profit before safety."

Sentencing Rollalong Ltd, Judge James Meston QC described Mr Patterson's injuries as "catastrophic".

"The evidence shows a substantial and serious failure by the company to deal with the clear and continued risks in the process of lifting panels," he said. "The court must impose meaningful fines to reflect the gravity of these offences and bring home the imperative need to provide and maintain a safe working environment for everyone."

In a statement, Rollalong Ltd said the firm deeply regretted Mr Patterson's accident.

"The company has a strong commitment to the safety of all its permanent and temporary employees and a good safety record having won awards for safety in recent years.

"Substantial safety improvements were made following Mr Patterson's accident and further improvement has been made since."

First published: October 23