Whilst reading an online article I noticed a recent case of two self-employed roofers who were working on a domestic property and prosecuted by the HSE for unsafe working. This is an interesting development although I am not claiming it to be the first of its kind. The article states that both contractors admitted breaching Regulation 6(3) of WAH 2005 and fined £450 plus prosecution costs - presumably much greater than the paltry fine. More interesting is the response from the HSE Inspector, who said: “We will always seek to take enforcement action where we find poor safety standards in roof work. In this case, not only were the defendants putting themselves at risk but they were gaining an economic advantage over those who work safely." Are the HSE now taking the moral high ground I wonder? Could say a lot more about this case but I prefer to seek your views first. Full article at: http://www.ppconstructio...lf-employed-contractors/ Ray

I've changed my mind, not really very good, the fine is probable less than the cost of the preparing documentation necessary to comply with current regs. Similar to a fine for driving with no insurance is less than the cost of insurance. The law, as they say, is an ass!

The fine may have been low because it might have been a test case to set precedence.

It is about time that the HSE spent a bit more time hammering these small time cowboys as well as larger companies that at least make an effort to comply with the law! I do not agree that the breach was not deemed serious because a low penalty was imposed, judges are a law unto themselves (literally) and in many cases I have personally been involved in, the penalties handed out are completely arbitrary!

As previously stated, IMHO, even though both pleaded guilty, the fines should have been higher to act as some form of deterrent. Self employed contractor working ona day rate of say, for example, £200. The whole thing has cost each person just over 2 days pay. Hardly a deterrent is it. Discuss...

Ray, I do not know where you are getting the idea that the HSE is not going to prosecute similar cases? The opposite is in fact true, your own quoted source says the the HSE are going to carry out more reactive and pro active work on small contractors IE prosecutions and inspections!