Burscough firm director fined £2,000 after ignoring Health and Safety Executive enforcement notices - 13 April 2007

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today reminded company directors that they must ensure that work is carried out whenever required by an Enforcement Notice or face the legal consequences.

William Beach, a director of Techlink Enterprises Ltd, an office furniture manufacturer, of Abbey Lane Industrial Estate, Burscough was charged with offences related to failing to comply with two Improvement Notices. Ormskirk Magistrates’ Court fined him £2,000 and ordered him to pay £1,000 costs.

HSE Inspector Lisa Bailey said:

"The Improvement Notices offered the opportunity to carry out the work that needed to be done to ensure that employees didn’t suffer ill health because of the wood dust in the air and that a hand rail was fitted to the mezzanine level.

"When HSE returned the work had not been carried out and this prosecution has resulted. Improvement Notices are only issued where action needs to be taken for the safety and protection of employees. In this case a company director did not ensure the work was carried out when the Improvement Notices were issued, leaving the health and safety of staff at risk.”

William Beach pleaded guilty of two charges under section 37(1)(1) Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, of allowing offences to be committed by the company of failing to comply with the requirements of Improvement Notices.

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