Local authority fined after boy injures foot

A young boy has fractured his foot several times after a sculpture fell on him, with East Lothian Council being fined as a result.

The Nungate Wheel had been installed at Lammermuir Crescent in 2000 and weakened over the years, but the local authority had not noticed.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Lindsey Stein pointed out that the sculpture should have been monitored by the council since it was so close to a nearby children’s play area.

She said: “Had East Lothian Council carried out a simple risk assessment, they would have easily identified it was possible that children would climb and play on the Nungate Wheel.”

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The council was fined £6,000 by Haddington Sheriff Court for the incident.

Last week, the HSE brought a case against a new karaoke bar in Manchester as a result of the lack of attention to fire safety procedures at the location.

Music Box Karaoke was fined £6,000 plus court costs.

Posted by Colette Paxton