The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a London property developer and landlord for failing to protect workers and nearby residents at two of his sites at Waltham Forest in east London.

On a site at Chingford Mount Road – which is close to a petrol station – open flames were used without fire extinguishers being available on site. The HSE investigation also found that

scaffolding at the property was substandard or missing – and had insufficient guard rails.

Inspectors also found that 240v power tools were used in areas where the cables were likely to be damaged, creating a risk of electrocution and fire. Domestic-quality cables were also run through damp areas.

HSE inspectors who visited the sites ordered workers to down tools immediately.

On Thursday (12/11/09) at City of London Magistrates’ Court, Lahrie Mohamed of South Woodford, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4(1) (a) and 9(1) (a) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations for offences committed at 78-80 Spruce Hills Road.

Mr Mohamed also pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 9(1) (a) and 4(1) (a) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 for offences committed at 67-67a Chingford Mount Road.

He was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £4,103 in costs.

The court was told that on both sites, Mr Mohamed had failed to appoint a competent contractor – and also failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements
were put in place for the works to be managed safely, putting workers and local residents at
risk.

After the hearing, HSE Construction Inspector Sarah Snelling said:

‘Mr Mohamed put the lives of the men working on his sites at serious risk by failing to appoint competent contractors to carry out and manage the work. 

‘As a long-standing property developer and professional landlord who owns over 100 properties in and around Waltham Forest, Mr Mohamed should have had the knowledge and resources to ensure the work was carried out safely and legally.’ 

© 5r1 Claims Limited 2009