A FORMER construction firm boss has been given a suspended prison sentence for carrying out unsafe work at an Oldham home.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) officials served prohibition notices on Imtiaz Hussain, of Bradford Builders (UK), amid concerns over a building project in Hollins Road, in July and August 2018.

Hussain was said to be in control of the site while "multiple" health and safety breaches were evident, including unsafe working at height.

Manchester Crown Court heard that on December 6, 2018, a HSE site visit took place following a report of unsafe roof work the previous week.

Roof work was being carried out from a scaffold at the rear of the building, the court was told.

Two prohibition notices were served on two separate scaffolds at the site, due to missing guardrails, and scaffold boards, and the resulting risk of falls from the scaffold.

An investigation by HSE found Hussain had failed to comply with notices issued after an inspector's visits and to take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent falls from height during the roof work.

Hussain, of Richardson Avenue, Bradford, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and two counts of Section 22 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, 200 hours community service and ordered to pay costs of £5,000.

HSE inspector David Norton said after the hearing: “These risks could so easily have been avoided by simply having suitable scaffolding in place put up by a competent scaffolding contractor.

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."