Manchester Manufacturer Fined for RRO Breaches

A Manchester Clothes Manufacturer, Aerobell Limited has been fined £6,000 in respect of 4 charges brought under the RRO and ordered to pay £3256.78 towards costs. Manchester Magistrates Court told Company Director Maqsood Ahmad that by blocking up an important fire escape, he had placed his employees at considerable risk.

The premises consisted of a section of the 2nd floor of a former cotton mill. The occupier manufactured clothing. The premises contained spinning machines, sewing machines, an office, prayer room and two rest rooms. A visit on 06/01/11 disclosed breaches of the RR Fire Safety Order, namely:

1. No fire risk assessment had been carried out

2. Large quantities of combustibles were stored on exit routes

3. A fire exit had been bricked up.

4. Fire extinguishers had not been serviced or tested for some considerable time

Photographic evidence was gathered and company secretary MAQSOOD AHMAD was formally interviewed. Investigations showed that the fire safety was of a seriously poor standard. This had resulted in very serious breaches of the Fire Safety Order such that the safety of employees and visitors was put at severe risk from fire within the premises. The Court was told that had the bricked up Fire Exit not been taken down at the time a prohibition notice would have been issued. However, Mr Maqsood AHMAD, a director of the company, ordered the demolition of the wall as soon as it was highlighted to him. The inspecting officer took the view that in light of this, the other matters could be dealt with by way of an enforcement notice – which it was acknowledged by the prosecution, was complied with within the time limit.