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Firm ignored warnings from safety consultants and HSE Inspectors

Principal contractor Gee Construction Ltd has been ordered to pay over £14k in fines and prosecutions costs after failing to take effective steps to prevent falls on a site at Castlegate, Caerphilly.

The prosecution follows the vist by an HSE inspector on 22 October 2009. The inspector found a number of shortcomings including unguarded lift shafts on the first and second floors, and inadequate edge protection.

Prohibition notices issued at earlier visits

The company,  which is based in Basildon Essex, had received two prohibition notices for work at height issues in 2008 and 2009.

HSE inspector David Kirkpatrick said:

“When we visited the site, we found clear failings that left workers at risk of falling from height, and it was necessary to stop all activity above ground floor level until safe systems of work were put in place.

As principal contractors, the company was responsible for the safety of everyone on the site. It had previously received warnings from HSE and its own safety consultants about safely working at height, but clearly this advice had been ignored.

Fortunately, despite the increased risk no-one was injured on this site, but this case must serve as a warning to companies of the need to ensure working at height is properly managed.”

This article was posted on 22nd July 2010 in ALL LATEST NEWS, PROSECUTIONS, falls other, falls platforms.
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