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RS Rendering Specialists Limited, a Manchester-based rendering company, has been fined £3,000 following a serious breach of safety regulations that put its workers at risk.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector observed unsafe scaffolding at a house renovation site, leading to the enforcement action.
The incident came to light on 17th February 2022 when HSE inspector Phil Redman was driving through the area and noticed hazardous scaffolding being used by RS Rendering Specialists Limited on a property located at Belgrave Crescent, Eccles, Manchester.
After a thorough inspection, it was discovered that the scaffolding had significant gaps, creating a potential danger for the workers working at height.
The HSE inspector also determined that the company had failed to plan the work safely at the property, a crucial requirement for such projects.
Furthermore, it was revealed that RS Rendering Specialists had not conducted the mandatory weekly inspection of the scaffolding as per safety regulations. In response to these serious safety violations, a Prohibition Notice was promptly issued, banning the company from using the unsafe scaffolding.
However, the company chose to ignore the Prohibition Notice, risking its workers’ lives. On 23rd February 2022, Inspector Phil Redman returned to the property and observed two RS Rendering Specialists workers still operating on the same prohibited scaffolding.
The fact that the house’s colour had changed since the previous visit indicated that the company had continued to use the same scaffolding despite the explicit prohibition.
The Health and Safety Executive has clear guidelines to ensure safe working conditions for employees, especially when working at height. However, RS Rendering Specialists Limited disregarded these guidelines and endangered the lives of its workers.
At Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 24th November 2023, RS Rendering Specialists Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. The court imposed a fine of £3,000 on the company and ordered them to pay £1,000 in costs.
HSE inspector Phil Redman stated, “We will not hesitate to prosecute companies who choose to ignore enforcement notices issued to prevent risks from falls from height or any other health and safety-related matters. This case highlights how such actions will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
