English Heritage accepts Crown Censure

English Heritage, the body responsible for around 400 historical sites across the country, has accepted a Crown Censure for safety failings after a young boy was injured when a glass floor panel broke at Yarmouth Castle on the Isle of Wight. This is the first Crown Censure, the equivalent of a criminal prosecution, against English Heritage since it was created 30 years ago.

When the 12 year old jumped on the glass viewing panel set into the floor to show stonework beneath, it splintered, seriously cutting his leg. The panel had been in place for many years and had been walked on by thousands of visitors.

The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive which last month formally administered a Crown Censure of English Heritage for ‘failing to take reasonable steps to protect members of the public from risk’.

HSE found that the glass floor panel had broken because it was not made of toughened or laminated glass. Furthermore, English Heritage had not specifically assessed the risk of such glass floor panels breaking at any of its properties since it was created in 1984, although they had undertaken regular visual inspections to identify any obvious damage.

English Heritage took immediate action after the accident to ensure other similar glass floor panels at its properties did not pose further risks to visitors.

If you have had an accident in a public place, please contact Vicky Jones at Lawson-West on 0116 212 1000.

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