Construction firm fined after risking an accident at work

A construction firm that risked the safety of its employees during the refurbishment of its offices in Hatfield has been fined GBP 54,000.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited the premises of Haz International after receiving complaints about unsafe working at height.

In 2009, inspectors served a Prohibition Notice on the company preventing further work until improvements to the scaffolding had been made and a further two prohibition notices were served in 2010.

Watford Magistrates' Court heard that the firm and its company secretary had failed to put adequate measures in place to manage health and safety.

HSE inspector John Berezansky said: "Construction, in particular working at height, is a high risk activity with significant numbers of major and fatal injuries."

Figures from the HSE show that 38 workers were killed as a result of falls from height in Great Britain last year.

Posted by Trevor Baker

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