Fine for failing to comply with prohibition notice

A company and its director have been fined for failing to comply with a prohibition and improvement notice.  The prohibition notice was issued after workers were found to be at a serious risk of a fall from unprotected edges on the site, while the improvement notice was issued for failing to provide adequate welfare at the site.

The HSE’s investigation found that neither the company, nor its director had attempted to comply with the prohibition notice to prevent work being carried out near to open edges where there was a risk of a fall.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations and Section 21 and 22 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £37,000 with cost of £10,000. 

The director pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £7,500 with cost of £10,000.

Speaking after the case, the HSE Inspector said: “The risks associated with working at height and the requirement to provide adequate welfare facilities are well-known throughout the construction industry.

“In this case, the company and its director failed to comply with HSE’s enforcement action and continued to put persons at risk of serious injury.”

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