Three partners at an accountancy firm in Ashford, Kent, have been fined a total of £5000 for failing to control the risk of falls while construction work was carried out on their building.
Michael Bushell, Hugh Ellision and Hugh Summerfield, of the accountancy firm

Finn-Kelcey Chapman, were found guilty of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act at Ashford Magistrates’ Court last week. In addition to the fine, they were ordered to pay costs totalling £6000.

The three partners were warned in November 2002 by the Health & Safety Executive about unsafe work at heights when a construction worker was found to be working on a tower scaffold without edge protection.

Similar breaches occurred during work in January and February this year. This led to the contractor, whose named has not been released, and the accountants being served with a prohibition notice preventing further work.

HSE inspector Mark Welsh said: “Falls from height cause the majority of fatal accidents in Great Britain. It is extremely important that companies recognise the possible consequences of working at height, as these can be fatal.”