16 Jun 2014
Two Greater Manchester companies have been fined for breaching fire safety regulations, leaving their employees at risk.
Brothers Kamran and Noman Ahmed, director and manager of Amilico Ltd, faced prosecution after inspectors visited their premises in Yorkshire Street, Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside.
The inspection revealed that a key was broken off in the lock of the rear fire exit, which was also roller shuttered. Employees faced more than the maximum 25 metres to get to the exit, with their escape route also littered with obstacles such as stock and piles of boxes. The boxes had the potential to help a blaze develop rapidly as well as potentially trapping people inside.
The Ahmeds admitted multiple offences and were fined more than £3,000 between them, and must also pay a £200-plus victim surcharge. The firm, which admitted failing to make a sufficient, suitable fire risk assessment, was also fined £1,500, with a £100 victim surcharge.
B&A Quilting, also in Tameside, was also convicted of the same charge at a separate hearing.
Director Naveed Bashir was fined £1,500, with an additional £120 victim surcharge, after admitting three offences.
Staff at the company, based at Oxford Road East, were placed at risk due to locked or blocked fire exits. Firefighters, attending a pre-arranged inspection, found that there were no clear escape routes in the event of a fire, with mattresses strewn across the site.
The fire alarm had not been tested and the fire risk assessment was unsuitable and out of date, they also found.
Copyright Press Association 2014