The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies that they face robust enforcement action following the prosecution of Everest Ltd, after its workers were found to be repeatedly exposed to the risk of falling from height.
Everest Ltd was fined £6,000 with £15,963.25 costs after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety law including the Work at Height Regulations SI 2005/735.
The prosecution arose after the HSE inspected properties where Everest Ltd was contracted to perform domestic roofline refurbishment. This involved people working at height from mobile tower scaffolds and associated platforms, but without suitable protection to prevent them from falling.
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 a serious or repeated breach of legislation, or failure to control the lethal risks associated with work at height."
