Inspectors from the Health & Safety Executive visited the premises of Haz International in Great North Road, Hatfield in September 2009 and again in July 2010 after receiving complaints about unsafe working at height.
During the 2009 visit, inspectors slapped a prohibition notice on the company to prevent further work until improvements to the scaffolding had been made. A further two prohibition notices were served in July 2010, as poor working practices regarding work at height had continued.
Watford Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that the firm and its company secretary had failed to heed the warnings from the HSE and put in place adequate measures to manage the safety of construction workers and specifically of those working at height.
Haz International Ltd admitted three breaches of health and safety legislation: Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; Regulation 13 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007; and Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined a total of £54,000 (£18, 000 for each breach) and ordered to pay £13,280 costs.
Company secretary Mark Adams of Prospect Crescent, Twickenham, was fined £3,600 after admittiing two breaches: Regulation 13 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. 
HSE inspector John Berezansky said: "Construction, in particular working at height, is a high risk activity with significant numbers of major and fatal injuries. Implementing appropriate standards with good planning, communication and cooperation is an absolute must.
"The defendants in this case failed to put these arrangements in place and it was pure luck there wasn't a serious incident at this site.
"Even though they had received a previous prohibition notice and further advice from HSE and their own construction design & management coordinator (CDMC) they failed to heed it.
"HSE will not hesitate in prosecuting poor performing companies and any individuals within those companies who place persons at risk."
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