Director sentenced for failing to comply with height regulations

A company director has been sentenced for failing to comply with work at height regulations, placing workers at risk of injury.

High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court heard how workers were carrying out work on pitched roofs at a site in Southampton without any protection from falls at height.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), found that Optimum HomeImprovements Ltd had failed to properly plan, appropriately supervise and carry out work at height safely at two separate locations in Southampton and Maidenhead in June 2018. This was due director Peter Green’s wilful neglect of the regulations.

Mr Green of Alldicks Road, Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to two breaches of Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and received an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Fiona Woods said: “Falls from height remain the most common cause of work-related fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry and the risks of associated with working at height are well known.

“It is important that those in control of work identify the risks posed by working on roofs and then take appropriate control measures to safeguard workers and others, to ensure the risks are being managed.”

Source HSE Website 09/11/2020

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