Recent prosecutions: Counting the cost of poor compliance

Developer fined £165,000 for repeated fire safety offences

A construction company has been forced into liquidation following a string of fire safety offences. After several fire safety breaches were identified, the developer received a prohibition notice. A follow-up HSE inspection revealed further fire safety failings including no fire detection system, no means of raising the alarm, inadequate escape plans, and work not being phased to ensure fire compartmentation. The developer was fined £165,000 and ordered to pay £10,512 in costs.

£85,000 penalty following fatal forklift truck accident

A business received a fine of over £85,000 after a driver was killed while using a forklift truck to load a heavy goods vehicle. The 60-year-old's forklift truck overturned as the HGV he was loading moved forward unexpectedly. The worker, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was trapped under the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. The hearing suggested that a seat belt would have likely saved the worker's life. The company was ordered to pay a fine of £86,710 and £5,903 in costs.

Wood supplier fined £40,000 for poor wood dust protocols

A wood supplier was hit with a £40,000 fine for repeatedly exposing staff to harmful wood dust. An HSE inspection found inadequate control measures, with dust covering the workshop floor. Despite a previous enforcement notice related to wood dust offences, the business neglected to take remedial steps. Recommendations include providing and maintaining local exhaust ventilation systems, having appropriate face-fit tested respiratory protection, and carrying out health surveillance to monitor workers' lung health.