Company workers need health and safety education
A South Wales crematorium contracted a company to install fans on their roof. The company contracted did not follow property health and safety training and ultimately endangered several workers and the public. The workers were on the roof without any protection from falling. Anyone attending funeral services could have been harmed had one of the workers fallen. It is the reason why not only workers but public individuals were at risk while the work was being carried out. Two employees were working on the roof without protection. It was a flat roof, but there should have been edge protection. The ladder was also not secured to a wall in any way. This means it could have fallen and injured a person below.
The company installing the fans was already served a prohibition notice after health and safety audits were conducted, but they continued to work without proper safety precautions. The notice was served nine weeks prior to the project starting at the crematorium. The notice was given due to failings at another site. The HSE decided it was definitely time to prosecute the company since they did not change their practices from the first notice. The company owners likely need training in risk management in addition to the fine. The fine was for £11,500 and £3,200 in court costs. The hope is that the company has learned their lesson now and will make certain to protect workers and the public from now on.
