A hotel director has been fined thousands for failing to safeguard customers, employees and contractors after blocked fire escapes were found.

Officers from Swindon Borough Council's Food, Health and Safety Team visited Swandown Hotel in August 2021, following complaints from customers regarding health and safety concerns including blocked fire escapes, damaged electric sockets, a lack of Covid-19 controls and broken bed frames.

Shamsuddoha Chowdhury tried to convince authorities that a completed risk assessment for a different venue was in fact for the Swindon premises.

Following further safety inspections, an Improvement Notice was served on the company the following month. But when officers revisited the hotel on 20 December 2021, the work had still not been completed.

Magistrates warned Chowdbury that he could be prosecuted again if action was not taken.

They also criticised his attempt to pass off another business’s risk assessment as his own. Chowdhury assured the court that he had since engaged a competent person to undertake a risk assessment and that this would be completed soon.

After pleading guilty at Swindon Magistrates' Court, Chowdbury was issued with an £830 fine, and ordered to pay £1,000 towards the council’s costs. The company was fined £8,000 plus costs of £1,186.

Comment: Proper consideration of guests' needs, and the creation of an adequate risk assessment to suitably safeguard guests should have been implemented. Suitable consultation with a specialist would have assisted with the identification of hazards for premises and rectified the risks which were highlighted.

Source: IOSH Magazine