We have previously discussed the risks of using sunbeds, especially to young children whom are continually exposed to them despite the laws in place.
The BBC has today reported on the case of James Hadley whom had been fined £6000.00 and given a community order for 90 hours of unpaid work.
Mr Hadley is the owner of Lextan Salon in Barry and following an incident whereby a schoolgirl was left badly burned after she had stayed on the tanning machine for 19 minutes, an inspection of his premises was carried out.
It is understand that Mr Hadley has previously admitted to 5 health and safety breaches at his salon and days before the young girl was burnt, another parent had gone in to the salon to complain that a lot of schoolgirls were going in to use the salon straight after getting off the school bus!
The Judge, who heard the case accepted that no one had been harmed as a direct result of the breaches, however stated that there was a ‘degree of recklessness’ in running an unmanned tanning salon.
The young girl whom had been burned had to be kept in hospital overnight as she suffered with first degree burns.
It is very concerning to know that there are still unmanned tanning salons operating around the country and unfortunately there are no laws in place to stop them running as an establishment. Unmanned establishments allow any one, of any age, to go in and use the tanning beds without knowing how to correctly operate them and without any supervision.
Whilst in this case Mr Hadley’s breaches did not directly cause anyone any harm, they could have very easily done so.
If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of the negligence of the tanning salon then you should seek legal advice as you may very well be entitled to bring a claim for damages.