Construction firm fined and director given community order for breaching working at height regulations

A construction firm and its director have been sentenced after carrying out unsafe work on the roof of a multi-storey building in Manchester.

Manchester Crown Court heard that concerns were raised with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after workers were spotted on the roof of the building in Norfolk Street, Manchester, without safety measures in place to prevent a fall.

HSE carried out two inspections at the site following the reports. On the second site visit, on 27 February 2019, employees were found to be working on the roof with no suitable controls in place to prevent falls. Inspectors intervened and stopped the work on site.

An investigation by HSE found that the unsafe work on the roof had taken place over a period of time from 1 January 2019 to 28 February 2019 with a significant risk of death or serious injury.

Exquisite Solutions (Alsager) Limited of St James House, Salford, was found guilty of breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £42,500 and ordered to pay costs of £5,049.73 plus a victim surcharge of £170.

Company director Ali Wit Wit of St James House, Salford, was found guilty of breaching section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, in relation to the company’s failing of section 2(1) of the Act. Mr Wit Wit was given a community order for 270 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £5,049.73 and a victim surcharge of £85.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Norton said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against companies that fall below the required standards and endanger their employees.”

Source HSE Website 21/01/2022

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