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Failures cost company over £50k and company secretary gains ‘criminal’ record 

Haz International Ltd its company secretary have been fined after construction workers were put a risk during the refurbishment of its offices in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

HSE Inspectors visited the premises in Great North Road, Hatfield in September 2009 and again in July 2010 after receiving complaints about unsafe working at height.

A Prohibition Notice was served on the company in 2009 preventing further work until improvements to scaffolding had been made. Two further prohibition notices were served in July 2010 as poor working practices regarding work at height had continued.

Watford Magistrate heard that the firm and company secretary failed to heed warnings from HSE and put in place adequate measures to manage the health and safety of construction workers.

Company failed to heed advice from CDM-C

Haz International Ltd admitted three breaches of: HSW Act 1974 Section 2 (1); Regulation 13 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007; and Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined at total of £54,000 (£18, 000 for each breach) and ordered to pay £13,280 costs.

Company secretary Mark Adams of Twickenham, admitted two breaches: Regulation 13 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He was fined £1,800 per breach. He did not have to make a contribution to costs.

HSE Inspector John Berezansky said:

“Construction, in particular working at height, is a high risk activity with significant numbers of major and fatal injuries. Implementing appropriate standards with good planning, communication and cooperation is an absolute must.

The defendants in this case failed to put these arrangements in place and it was pure luck there wasn’t a serious incident at this site. Even thought they had received a previous Prohibition Notice and further advice from HSE and their own Construction Design and Management Coordinator (CDMC) they failed to heed it.

HSE will not hesitate in prosecuting poor performing companies and any individuals within those companies who place persons at risk.”

This article was posted on 17th January 2012 in ALL LATEST NEWS, CDM 2007 COORDINATORS, PROSECUTIONS, falls platforms.
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