Seven fined Lm900 for ignoring safety rules

Seven persons were fined a total of Lm900 in separate cases by the Criminal Court for various contraventions of rules and regulations regarding occupational health and safety, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority said.

In the first case, an owner of a garage dealing in works related to the construction industry was accused of putting his own safety and that of others at risk at his workplace.

He also failed to carry out or commission a risk assessment of his workplace as well as failing to commission a mechanical engineer to inspect and instruct on the proper use of a forklifter. The accused was found guilty and fined Lm200.

The second case involved breaches of OHS legislation by a building contractor and a supervisor while carrying out works at the OHSA's own new premises.

The contractor was found guilty of putting his own safety and that of others at risk, of not providing adequate personal and other protective equipment to the workers and of inadequate supervision to ensure that those provided were being utilised.

He was also found guilty of allowing risks to third persons and was fined Lm200.

The supervisor on site was found guilty of not ensuring that employees were making use of adequate personal and other protective equipment provided by the employer. He was also fined Lm200.

In the third case, two directors of companies were fined Lm100 for lack of action on an engineer's report and recommendations regarding the safety and certification of a lift.

The last case was filed by two individuals against two OHS officers who were charged with insulting and using contemptuous language with them. This happened during a follow-up inspection on a building site where a stop-order had been issued and the works were still being carried out.

The persons who filed the case did not appear in court.

The court found the OHS officers not guilty as charged and fined the two individuals Lm100 each for failing to appear in court.

The OHSA has now filed a case against the individuals on various issues and an arrest warrant has been issued against them to ensure that they appear in court for the next sitting.