Self-employed trader fined for safety failings

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Mark Podstawski, 47, after an investigation found poor planning, the absence of guard rails and a scaffold not of a recognised design, put himself and others, including people on the ground at risk.

Mark Podstawski of Horton Bank Top in Bradford pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay £918.02 costs by Bradford Magistrates’ Court.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Thompson commented: “Mr Podstawski had been served with a Prohibition Notice six months prior to this incident when he breached the Work at Height Regulations for similar circumstances. This incident could and should have been prevented. Scaffolding should always be erected to the appropriate standards and previous enforcement action should not be ignored”.