A Hackney man has been sentenced for running a dangerously operated building site, following an investigation prompted after police discovered a body at the location.
A Catalogue of Safety Failures
Although the worker found at the Upper Clapton Road site in December 2018 died from natural causes, the subsequent visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed a series of what inspectors described as life-threatening practices.
The site, where an extension to a synagogue was being built, was under the oversight of Moses Meisels of Gilda Crescent. Inspectors found that Meisels, acting as the client, had repeatedly ignored warnings about critical safety issues over a five-month period.
Shocking Site Conditions Uncovered
The HSE investigation uncovered a shocking disregard for worker welfare. Among the most serious failures were large, unprotected holes in the ground floor and workers operating on the roof beyond the safety of scaffolding barriers, both creating a severe risk of falls from height.
Further hazards included an unsecured ladder and construction waste that was unsafely stacked in the front garden of the property. These conditions presented immediate dangers to anyone on site.
Legal Repercussions and Official Warning
At the City of London Magistrates' Court, Moses Meisels pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
For his role in the incident, the court handed down a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for one year. He was also ordered to pay £10,000 in costs.
Following the sentencing, HSE inspector David King issued a stark reminder to those in the industry. "It is essential that clients must make suitable arrangements for managing a project, including the allocation of sufficient time and other resources," he stated. "Clients should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against them if they fail to ensure their construction projects meet the required standards."
