A DIRECTOR of a former car salvage company has been jailed over unsafe forklift trucks and structural safety at his business.

Tahir Karim was locked up following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into failings at Long Life Spares, Graddfa Industrial Estate, Llanbradach, Caerphilly.

He failed to comply with HSE enforcement notices served to protect the health and safety of workers and visitors to the site.

South Wales Argus:

A bridge on site which was assessed months earlier as at risk of collapse was still in use with vehicles and people walking and driving underneath it daily. Picture: HSE

Newport Crown Court heard that between 2018 and 2021, Karim was in control of activities and people working there.

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He failed to comply with four enforcement notices in relation to structural safety and the use of unsafe forklift trucks.

South Wales Argus:

Part of the 250m long retaining wall along the length of the property which was assessed as dangerous with large parts having previously collapsed on to the access road below. Picture: HSE

Outside the court, a HSE spokesperson said: “We found that Mr Karim had failed to comply with all of the prohibition notices served.

South Wales Argus:

South Wales Argus:

Two forklift trucks on which notices were served as they were unsafe with defective brakes and a mast chain. Pictures: HSE

“However, he was aware of the risks and directed workers to act in a way that contravened the prohibitions and risked their own safety.”

Karim, of Upper High Street, Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydil, admitted four offences of contravening a health and safety at work prohibition notice.

He was jailed for 12 months.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £11,194.05 costs and a £140 surcharge.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Sian Donne said: “We do not tolerate disregard for health and safety and consider the non-compliance of HSE enforcement notices as a serious offence.”