A building contractor who ignored enforcement notices from the Health and Safety Executive has prosecuted…
Meadowdale Homes failed to heed the warning of two Improvement Notices from regulator the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The firm, based in Kingswinford, was set a letter, followed by the notices. These ordered Meadowdale Homes to arrange Site Manager Safety Training Scheme by 2 March. The firm was also told it must address issues that contravened the rules for working at height.
When the HSE returned to the site on 3 March, inspectors found none of the issues flagged had been resolved. Additional letters sent over the next several months were also ignored.
The case, which was brought before Sandwell Magistrates’ Court, revealed Meadowdale Homes was invited to attend a taped interview under caution, but failed to show up.
The company admitted two breaches of Section 33(1)(g) and one breach of Regulation 4 (1) of Work at Height Regulations. It was fined £5,000 for each breach, totalling £15,000. Full costs of £1,617 were awarded to HSE.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Gareth Langston said: “Initially this was a perfectly normal routine inspection, with a few things found that could have been easily resolved.
“The defendant said they didn’t respond to the notices because of pressure at work. They admitted not being organised and not taking the matter very seriously, hoping it would go away.
“I’d say to other businesses, it is not a good idea to ignore interaction with HSE, or it could land you in court with a sizeable fine, as Meadowdale has discovered today.”