HSE warns of robust action after...

...prosecution of Everest Ltd

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a stark warning that companies face robust enforcement action following its prosecution of Everest Ltd, after workers were found to be repeatedly exposed to the risk of falling from height.

Everest Ltd, of Sopers Road, Cuffley, Potters Bar, was fined £6,000 with £15,963.25 costs, at Luton Magistrates’ Court today (April 30), after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety law including Work At Height Regulations 2005 (see notes to editors for full charges).

HSE Inspector, Norman Macritchie said:

"The level of fatal and serious injuries in refurbishment projects remains unacceptable. Each death is a tragedy for those involved and there is no room for any complacency. The challenge for the construction industry is to ensure that sensible and effective precautions are in place to stem these deaths.

"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."

The prosecution arose following inspections on 14th July 2006 and 6th November 2006 when a HSE inspector passed neighbouring residential properties on Crawley Green Road in Luton, where Everest Ltd was contracted to perform domestic roofline refurbishment. The work involved persons working at height from mobile tower scaffolds and associated work platforms, but without suitable protection to prevent them from falling. The Inspector took immediate enforcement action and served a Prohibition Notice which stopped the work at both sites.

Everest Ltd was also recently fined £4,000 in another case taken by HSE, when a Roofline Installer fell from the platform on which he was working.