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Protecting your business is essential, having the right controls in place will help you to do justhat at. Sphere RHSM Ltd has the experience and knowledge to provide advice and action when you need it, We are local and based in Kettering. Just ring 0116 202 9679 and we can furnish you with the information you require.

Below is a case which shows exactly what not to do. The fines & costs are not insurable, neither is the loss of reputation.

The HSE issue warnings to Lettings & Estate Agents after preventable contractor death

Health and safety chiefs have warned companies to take precautions when hiring self-employed workers following the death of a 79-year-old man.

Contractor Roger Jary, from Welshpool, Powys, died after falling through a carport roof in 2010.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said estate agent Morris Marshall and Poole (MMP) admitted health and safety breaches and was fined £75,000.

Morris Marshall & Poole have made determined efforts to ensure that everything possible is done to prevent a similar accident occurring in the future”

Mr Jary was hired by MMP to carry out minor repairs to a carport and a gutter of a rented bungalow in Welshpool, which the company managed for the owner.

But the HSE said MMP failed to ensure the work was properly planned and organised or if Mr Jary was competent to carry out the work.

Chester Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Mr Jary fell through the plastic roof of the carport on 10, August 2010.

The HSE said MMP admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974.

It said the firm was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,153.95.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Chris Wilcox said: “Roger Jary might be alive today if simple safety measures had been put in place.

‘Shocked and saddened’
“Morris, Marshall and Poole had a duty to ensure the safety of those they employed, whether working directly for them or not.

“If your business is managing properties then you must ensure that anyone you engage to maintain those properties is competent and carries out their work safely to ensure their safety and that of others.”

After the hearing MMP expressed its “sincere condolences” to Mr Jary’s family and friends.

Sphere RHSM based in Cambridge can offer a simple contractor control solution which allows the respective Agent to be confident that their Contractors have the requisite safety documentation and responsibility statements in place.

This contractor cosystem system is available to all our Clients has been trialled and used to defend two Clients in the last nine months. It even helps to protect you from enforce action, Prohibition & Improvement Notices.

For information on protecting your business in Leicestershire please ring 0116 202 9679 our team are waiting to help.

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