Redruth builder ignored improvement notice

Date:

3 March 2011

Release No:

07/SR/SW

The owner of a Cornish roofing company has found himself in court after ignoring an order to undertake construction safety training.

Nathan Michell, 34, who owns Redruth-based All Roofs, was served an Improvement Notice by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 2nd June 2010 after an inspector visited a new housing development on Church Road, Pool.

The HSE inspector identified several safety issues with scaffolding that Mr Michell's firm was using while working on the development.

Camborne Magistrates heard the scaffolding was incomplete, with barriers missing to prevent workers falling. A broken loft ladder - held together at the join with a piece of rope - was also being used despite being completely unsuitable for the job.

While the inspector was on site, a meeting with a health and safety consultant was arranged and suitable training discussed for Mr Michell. Training courses were arranged on two occasions but he did not attend either.

After the hearing, Barry Trudgian, HSE Inspector, said:

"Mr Michell was given two opportunities to complete a much needed safety course after the HSE visit. Unfortunately for him, ignoring the HSE enforcement notice landed him in court today.

"Organising safe work at height is one of the key responsibilities of those in control of construction work. In order to do this it's essential they remain up to speed with best practice in construction and relevant health and safety law.

"Everyone who has a say in how a construction project is carried out should be familiar with their duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, including the role of the project's client, architectural and engineering designers, contractors and sub-contractors.

Mr Michell, of St Day, near Redruth pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £1,200 with £800 costs.

In 2008/2009 more than 4,000 major injuries were caused by falls from height at work. More information about preventing falls from height at work can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
2. Section 33 (1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work (Etc) Act 1974 states that 'It is an offence for a person to contravene any requirement or prohibition imposed by an improvement notice or a prohibition notice (including any such notice as modified on appeal).'

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