Everest prosecution leads to robust enforcement warning
May 1, 2008
The prosecution of home improvement company Everest has led to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issuing a warning to firms that they face robust enforcement action if workers' safety is not properly safeguarded.
On July 14th, a HSE inspector passed neighbouring residential properties where Everest workers were carrying out refurbishment work, which involved them working at height on mobile scaffolds that did not have suitable safety guards.
The inspector took immediate enforcement action, stopping the employees from carrying on with their work.
Luton magistrates' court fined Everest £6,000 and ordered them to pay £15,963.25 in costs for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
HSE inspector, Norman Macritchie, warned employers to ensure their staff are protected as much as possible, or there could be consequences to follow.
"The level of fatal and serious injuries in refurbishment projects remains unacceptable. 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," he said.
Norwich magistrates' court recently fined Air Plant Dust Extraction £5,000, after a worker fell from a ladder which had not been properly risk assessed.
On July 14th, a HSE inspector passed neighbouring residential properties where Everest workers were carrying out refurbishment work, which involved them working at height on mobile scaffolds that did not have suitable safety guards.
The inspector took immediate enforcement action, stopping the employees from carrying on with their work.
Luton magistrates' court fined Everest £6,000 and ordered them to pay £15,963.25 in costs for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
HSE inspector, Norman Macritchie, warned employers to ensure their staff are protected as much as possible, or there could be consequences to follow.
"The level of fatal and serious injuries in refurbishment projects remains unacceptable. 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," he said.
Norwich magistrates' court recently fined Air Plant Dust Extraction £5,000, after a worker fell from a ladder which had not been properly risk assessed.
More Working at Height news:
Police seminar 'includes working at height training' - December 24, 2008Worker fined GBP 2,500 after accident - December 24, 2008
Hospitality workshop focuses on slips and trips - December 2, 2008
Final slice of health and safety Cake - December 1, 2008
British Gas pays £4,700 after accident - November 28, 2008
