Health and Safety Failings – Dangerous work at height leads to prosecution

Dangerous work at height leads to prosecution

Key Facts:

• A Liverpool based property developer has been prosecuted as a result of dangerous work at height.
• There was no adequate protection in place whilst contractors were working on a tower platform.
• The company was fined £7,000 and costs of £1,496.50.

The Case:

An investigation was launched into the safety practices of a property developer after a member of the public got in touch with the HSE to voice concerns about dangerous work at height.

Concerns were raised after two contract workers were seen walking on a tower platform in the centre of St Helens by a member of the public. There was no adequate protection in place to protect members of the public walking underneath the structure.

The case was heard at St Helens Magistrates Court on 1 April 2015, where the firm was found guilty of breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. They were fined £7,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,496.50.

What the law states:

Section 3(1) of HSWA states

“It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.”

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