A construction firm, Exquisite Solutions (Alsager) Limited, and its director Ali Wit Wit, have been prosecuted after they carried out unsafe work on the roof of a multi-storey building in Manchester.
Concerns were raised with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after workers were spotted on the roof of a building in Norfolk Street, Manchester, without fall safety measures in place.
Following these reports the HSE conducted two inspections at the site. During their second visit on 27 February 2019, they witnessed employees working on the roof without any suitable control measures in place to prevent falls. The inspectors intervened and immediately stopped work at the site.
The HSE's investigation found that unsafe roof work had taken place from 1 January 2019 to 28 February 2019, which posed a significant risk of death or serious injury.
At Manchester Crown Court the construction firm was found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, fined £42,500 and ordered to pay costs of £5,049.73 plus a victim surcharge of £170.
The company director was also found guilty under the the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, in relation to the company's failings. He was ordered to pay costs of £5,049.73, a victim surcharge of £85 and was given a community order for 270 hours of unpaid work.
HSE inspector David Norton commented on the case: "Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against companies that fall below the required standards and endanger their employees."
