Construction firm and director fined for safety breaches

Southwark Crown Court heard how, on 31 March 2016, Awad (UK) Ltd, under the control of its director Andrzej Wilk, was issued with a prohibition notice on site where it was found that persons were at serious risk of fall and injury from the unprotected edges at the site. The court also heard that the company was issued with an improvement notice on 4 April 2016 for failure to provide adequate and suitable welfare facilities at the site.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Awad (UK) Ltd and Andrzej Wilk had not taken steps to comply with the prohibition notice preventing any work near the open edges where there was a risk of fall and injury to persons. The investigation also found that Awad (UK) Ltd and Andrzej Wilk had not complied with the improvement notice requiring the provision of adequate and sufficient welfare facilities.

Awad (UK) Ltd of Fourth Way, Wembley, Middlesex pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 21 and 22 of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company has been fined £37,500 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

Andrzej Wilk of Beresford Avenue, Surbiton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 ands was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Saif Deen said, “The risks associated with working at height and the requirement to provide adequate welfare facilities are well-known throughout the construction industry.

“In this case, the company and its director failed to comply with HSE’s enforcement action and continued to put persons at risk of serious injury.”