A Croydon-based company’s director has avoided jail after an employee’s death, leading to fines and suspended sentences.
- Ayman Noor, director of My Best Group, received a suspended sentence following the fatal accident involving Kashif Rehman.
- The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed preventable death due to inadequate safety measures for glass storage.
- My Best Group pleaded guilty to breaching safety laws but received a reduced fine due to liquidation.
- The case underscores the importance of stringent workplace safety practices to prevent tragedies.
The tragic incident occurred at the premises of My Best Group Limited in Thornton Heath when 40-year-old employee Kashif Rehman experienced a cardiac arrest while retrieving glass panels. These panels, each weighing up to 10 kilograms, were inadequately restrained, leading to their collapse. Mr Rehman succumbed to his injuries three days later in hospital, highlighting severe oversights in workplace safety protocols.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) identified gross negligence in the handling of glass storage by the company. It was found that the glass, stored without a proper racking system, posed a significant risk to both employees and the public. Furthermore, the company failed to perform adequate risk assessments or establish a safe system of work, thereby directly contravening safety regulations.
Director Ayman Noor, aware of these ongoing safety issues, did not implement the necessary corrective measures to ensure a safe working environment. In court, the company admitted to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Being in liquidation, My Best Group saw its potential fine of £120,000 reduced to a mere £2,200.
At a hearing at Southwark Crown Court, Mr Noor was sentenced to custodial terms of 20 weeks and 14 weeks, suspended for 12 months. In addition to these suspended sentences, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £9,294 for infringing section 37 of the same Act. These legal proceedings underscore the critical nature of adherence to safety regulations in preventing such fatal incidents, stressing the director’s role in ensuring employee safety.
HSE Inspector Marcus Pope commented on the case, emphasising its preventability and the need for industries dealing with heavy materials to adopt robust safety measures. He stated, “This is yet another tragic and avoidable workplace incident that should never have happened.” Such incidents highlight the ongoing need for vigilant safety practices within the workplace.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the crucial importance of implementing and maintaining stringent workplace safety standards.
