Lancashire housebuilder fined for working at height incidents

Paddle Ltd has been fined £56,000 and £11,000 in costs for pleading guilty to breaching reg. 4 of the Working at Height Regulations 2005. Company director Derek Hugh Barnes received 8 months' imprisonment, suspended two years, and can't become a company director for 3 years. He also has to pay a further fine of £32,000 and £11,000 in costs. He pleaded guilty to the breaching of Section 37 of the HSWA 1974.

The action was taken after two reported incidents in 2011 and 2012. The first saw a bricklayer fall four meters injuring his back and foot, the second was a contractor photographed working at height in an excavator bucket while Barnes watched. Both incidents occurred in Cae Canol in Baglan, near Port Talbot.

The problem is, this isn't the first incident the company has faced HSE action against. With several Prohibition Notices being handed out over the years.

HSE inspector Phil Nicolle said:

"Paddle Ltd and Derek Barnes, have, over the years, shown a blatant disregard for health and safety management on their construction sites, as was clearly evident when we investigated the Baglan incidents.

Companies and directors have clear duties of care and safety responsibilities, and it is vital they properly assess, manage and supervise all work activity to mitigate risks at all times."

The company has since put two new company directors in place.

Source: SHP