An Edgware contractor has been fined after the routine inspection of a construction site discovered dangerous working conditions.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors saw contractors working some three metres above ground without measures in place to prevent them from falling. HSE visited the construction site at Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex on 10 February 2010, as part of its annual proactive targeted programme of construction site inspections.

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A Prohibition Notice was immediately served on the Principal Contractor Mr Isidor Cata, of Colchester Road, Edgware, Middlesex, preventing further work at height until adequate safeguards were in place.

In a prosecution brought by HSE (26 June), Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard that a follow-up inspection of the site later the same day, found working at height was still continuing, but no measures had been taken to comply with the Prohibition Notice.

Mr Isidor Cata, 48, trading as Doru Construction, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £2,000, and ordered to pay costs of £1,500.

(CD/GK)