Vasilis Paraskeva and his company VNP Constructions Ltd were prosecuted after HSE found a number of regulation breaches at one of its sites.

Acting as the appointed contractor for a flat conversion on White Lion Street, London, HSE investigators several issues including work at height risks and concerns about the competence of site management.

After this visit, in September 2022, prohibition and improvement notices were served. However further visits over the following 12 months identified additional breaches, and additional prohibition and improvement notices were served.

When the HSE determined all of these notices had been ignored, a prosecution was brought forward. Both Paraskeva and VNP Constructions pleaded guilty to charges levelled against them.

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The director pleaded guilty to three offences breaching the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £10,800 and ordered to pay £900 in costs.

Similarly, the company pleaded guilty to breaches of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1971.

The company was fined £7,200 and ordered to pay £900 in costs.

“These fines should send a clear message to the construction industry that HSE and the courts take failure to comply with enforcement notices extremely seriously,” said Andrew Pipe, HSE inspector.

“HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies and individuals who fail to keep people safe.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Melissa Wardle.

Development Finance Today has contacted VNP Constructions for comment.