Industry news
Director fined over safety failings
Posted Thu, 19 Apr 2012
A building company's director has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after failing to ensure the safety of his employees when working above ground.
Paul Cartwright, of Llandaff, Cardiff and trading as Cartwright Construction, was prosecuted for a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 1995 at a construction site in Conway Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff.
The breach occurred on 28 September 2011 as health and safety inspectors watched two employees standing close to the exposed edge of a half-finished first storey structure. No railings or guards were erected to prevent workers from falling outwards over the beams or inwards through the partially-completed floor.
Health and safety investigators also noted that there were no scaffolds, beanbags or nets in place to offer protection. Similarly, inspectors discovered that the company did not have an on-site protocol for working at height and neither Mr Cartwright nor the site manager had attained proper safety training.
Paul Cartwright, of Station Road, Llandaff North, Cardiff pleaded guilty to breaching Section 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 1995. The director was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,027 at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.
Copyright Press Association 2012