Risk news

A company director has been fined and ordered to pay costs over £5,500 after being prosecuted by the London Fire Brigade for breaching fire health and safety.

Girish Chadha, director of Maureen O’Brien, which formerly owned high street chain Joy, was brought before the Inner London Crown court and fined £500 for 11 contraventions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The inspecting officer who carried out a fire safety inspection at Joy’s headquarters on 432 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, found breaches including excessive storage in the escape routes, no emergency procedures and no appropriate fire safety training for staff.

An enforcement notice was served on Chadha, but a follow-up inspection revealed it had not been acted upon.

London Fire Brigade was awarded £5,000 in costs.

“Where the evidence exists, we will prosecute individuals who are responsible for fire safety and do not take these responsibilities seriously,” said Brian Coleman, chairperson of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

Employers who want to further their understanding and knowledge of fire safety could take part in a NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management course, offered through Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS).

More information about the course can be found by contacting ARMS on 0500 55 99 77.