Director prosecuted for ignoring Enforcement Notices

Swansea Magistrates’ Court heard that, in November 2016 and August 2018, Classical Joinery Group Limited in Neath (now dissolved) had not complied with four Enforcement Notices. The Notices had been served to ensure compliance with controlling health risks associated with the use of hazardous substances and controlling fire and explosion risks associated with the spraying of flammable substance.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Peter John Gittins was the sole director of the company and, by his consent or connivance, Classical Joinery Group Limited had failed to comply with all of the Improvement Notices served.

Peter John Gittins of Abbey Road Industrial Estate, Neath, pleaded guilty to four offences that contravened Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £2,000, given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay costs of £6,488.36.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Lee Jones said, “We do not tolerate disregard for health and safety and consider the non-compliance of HSE Enforcement Notices as a serious offence.

“In this case, Mr Gittins chose to flagrantly ignore the support, guidance and warnings from HSE to assist his compliance with the law; in doing so he put people at risk.”