- A North London construction director and his company were fined for failing to comply with multiple HSE enforcement notices
- Inspectors identified repeated safety failings at a residential conversion site, including work at height risks and inadequate site management
- HSE guidance on managing health and safety in construction is available
A construction company director and his firm have been fined after failing to comply with multiple enforcement notices and for failing to suitably plan, manage and monitor construction work.
Vasilis Paraskeva and his London-based company, VNP Constructions Limited, were the appointed contractor for the conversion of a former public house and adjoining building into residential flats on White Lion Street, London.
During a proactive visit to the site on 1 September 2022, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors identified several issues including work at height risks and concerns about the competence of site management. Prohibition and Improvement notices were served.
Further visits over the following 12 months identified additional breaches, demonstrating a continued failure to suitably plan, manage and monitor the work. Additional Prohibition and Improvement notices were served.
An HSE investigation found that Vasilis Paraskeva and VNP Constructions Limited failed to comply with the requirements of multiple enforcement notices and failed to ensure work was carried out safely.
Contractors have a responsibility to plan, manage and monitor construction work to ensure that it is carried out without risks to health or safety. Further guidance on Managing health and safety in construction – HSE can be found on HSE’s website.
The company, VNP Constructions Limited, of Kings Avenue, Winchmore Hill, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and to two counts of failing to comply with a Prohibition Notice contrary to Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1971.
The company was fined £7200 and ordered to pay £900 in costs at the same hearing.
The Director, Vasilis Paraskeva, of Kings Avenue, Winchmore Hill, London, pleaded guilty to three offences on the basis that the company had committed the above three offences and those offences were committed with his consent or connivance or was attributable to his neglect by virtue of S37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
He was fined £10,800 and ordered to pay £900 in costs at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 7 January 2026.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Pipe said: “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.
“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.
