Building boss jailed after fatal fall

The Health and Safety Executive has issued a warning to employers to protect their workers’ lives, following the jailing of a company director for manslaughter.

Sharaz Butt, director of Alcon Construction Ltd of Norwich, was yesterday sentenced to 12 months jail in Norwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Wu Zhu Weng.

Mr Weng had been working for Alcon Construction on the refurbishment of a building in Norwich, when he fell 12 feet through a skylight and suffered fatal injuries on 31 January 2008,

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Peter Jacobs said Mr Butt had shown a “cynical disregard” for his workers, including Mr Weng, by employing them illegally and failing to ensure their safety.

Peter Nickerson, HSE inspector said: “The sentence handed down by the judge reflects the seriousness of the offence committed by Mr Butt. As company director he was responsible for the health and safety of all his workers, and he failed to fulfil this responsibility.”

Mr Butt also received a five-year disqualification from acting as a company director after pleading guilty to breaching section 37 of the Health and Safety Act.

“The construction industry in particular has one of the highest rates of fatalities in Britain,” said Mr Nickerson. “HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those who put the lives of their employees at risk in this way.”