Firm Fined for Breaching Health and Safety Laws

A roofing firm has been fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £15,963.25 costs after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety laws including the Work At Height Regulations 2005.

Everest Ltd, of Sopers Road, Cuffley, Potters Bar, pleaded guilty at Luton Magistrates' Court to the charge. It follows an earlier £4,000 fine imposed on the firm when an employee fell from the platform he was working on.

The most recent prosecution followed inspections on 14th July 2006 and 6th November 2006 when a HSE inspector passed neighbouring residential properties in Luton, where Everest Ltd was contracted to perform refurbishment.

The work involved staff working at height from mobile tower scaffolds and other platforms, but without protection to prevent them from falling. The Inspector took immediate enforcement action and served a Prohibition Notice which stopped the work at both sites.

The Health and Safety Executive has since issued a stark warning that companies face robust enforcement action following its prosecution of Everest Ltd.

HSE Inspector, Norman Macritchie said: "Employers must ensure that safe working practices are developed and followed. HSE inspectors will not tolerate negligence or poor safety standards on construction sites.

"Robust enforcement action may well be taken, especially where there is serious or repeated breach of legislation, or failure to control the lethal risks associated with work at height."

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