21/01/2011 - Dangerous demolition firm fined
Safety officials had to stop a demolition job in Leicester city centre because of dangerous working practices across the site.
During a visit in April last year, inspectors discovered that the factory being knocked down was likely to collapse, endangering the lives of the workers as well as members of the public. Structural work was being done with no proper supports in place.
Workers were found to be demolishing parts of the building by hand and were being made to work on the factory roof and at other heights without safety equipment.
The company responsible, Saleh Properties, of North Evington, Leicester, was ordered to stop work on the Orson Street building, which was being cleared to make way for new houses.
Inspectors issued a prohibition notice, ordering Saleh to install safety signs and fencing to keep the public away from the site. The work could not restart until the company produced a demolition plan and ensured a competent supervisor was on site
Saleh admitted breaking regulations 9 (1)(a) and 28 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and breaking regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 on two counts.
It was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £1,084 costs by Leicester Magistrates' Court.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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