Prosecutions

The company running a Bristol nightclub has been prosecuted for exposing staff and customers to potentially lethal electrical hazards.

Bristol Council’s public health services team inspected the premises last year. Environmental Health Officers (EHO) found a number of hazards and generally poor conditions. They served a prohibition notice, four improvement notices and requested other works to be done.

The notices related to extensive electrical defects, including exposed live conductors, and required the company to appoint a competent consultant to help it carry out improvements and protect their employees from exposure to noise.

Despite numerous visits by health and safety staff, the required actions were not completed.

At Bristol Crown Court in December, the company admitted failing to comply with four health and safety improvement notices.

It was ordered to pay £8,000 with costs of £5,689 awarded to the council.

A principal EHO for the council commented: ‘The company did not take appropriate action after receiving the notices, which meant staff and customers were left exposed to a number of hazards.

‘Where companies fall short of the required standards and fail to comply with enforcement notices, we will take action.’