A construction boss has been banned from acting as a director after he failed to pay fines totalling £275,000 after multiple health and safety breaches.
Michael Allen, 64 of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, was a director of Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers, a specialist company in manufacturing and erecting steel-framed agricultural and industrial buildings.
In 2016, Allen pleaded guilty to breaching three counts of the working at heights regulations and was fined nearly £275,000 after a 2014 accident that saw a worker repairing a farm building in Buxton fall through a roof, sustaining life-changing injuries.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers had breached several health and safety regulations.
Among several breaches, HSE found that the company failed to carry out health and safety plans for the site in Buxton, did not properly train the employee to carry out fragile roof work and equipment was inadequate and insufficient for the risks posed.
But the company went into liquidation in December 2016 and Michael Allen told investigators that the business closed down because it could not afford to pay the fine imposed by the court.
However further investigations by the Insolvency Service found that after the accident and to allow for a clear division between fabrication and installation activities, a new company was incorporated in October 2014. The new company carried out fabrication services, while the installation side of the business was wound down.
It concluded that if the fabrication contracts had remained within Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers, the original company, there would have been sufficient funds to pay the fine.
As of 27 June 2018, Allen is banned from directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company for six years.
Dave Elliott, chief investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “Michael Allen had a lack of regard for the workers, which unfortunately resulted in a horrific injury for one person.
“Directors who fail to adhere to health and safety regulations to protect their employees and then fail to pay the fine can expect to face the consequences of a period of disqualification.”
HEADLINE: Ban for construction boss who failed to pay £275,000 fines
A construction boss has been banned from acting as a director after he failed to pay fines totalling £275,000 after multiple health and safety breaches.
Michael Allen, 64 of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, was a director of Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers, a specialist company in manufacturing and erecting steel-framed agricultural and industrial buildings.
In 2016, Allen pleaded guilty to breaching three counts of the working at heights regulations and was fined nearly £275,000 after a 2014 accident that saw a worker repairing a farm building in Buxton fall through a roof, sustaining life-changing injuries.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers had breached several health and safety regulations.
Among several breaches, HSE found that the company failed to carry out health and safety plans for the site in Buxton, did not properly train the employee to carry out fragile roof work and equipment was inadequate and insufficient for the risks posed.
But the company went into liquidation in December 2016 and Michael Allen told investigators that the business closed down because it could not afford to pay the fine imposed by the court.
However further investigations by the Insolvency Service found that after the accident and to allow for a clear division between fabrication and installation activities, a new company was incorporated in October 2014. The new company carried out fabrication services, while the installation side of the business was wound down.
It concluded that if the fabrication contracts had remained within Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers, the original company, there would have been sufficient funds to pay the fine.
As of 27 June 2018, Allen is banned from directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company for six years.
Dave Elliott, chief investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “Michael Allen had a lack of regard for the workers, which unfortunately resulted in a horrific injury for one person.
“Directors who fail to adhere to health and safety regulations to protect their employees and then fail to pay the fine can expect to face the consequences of a period of disqualification
