Business World Globe Ltd, based in Hitchcock Way, and its director Mohammed Osman were together ordered to pay just over £14,000 on Monday after they admitted to seven charges at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates Court in Speedwell Street.
Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service issued a prohibition notice on the site, restricting the use of the premises after an inspection from their fire safety inspectors in June 2015 found dangerous practices and inadequate safety measures.
The charges included a failure to risk assess and take fire precautions to ensure the premises were safe for employees, ensure that emergency exits were clear, failure to provide an adequate fire alarm and detection system and providing employees with adequate safety training.
Cllr Rodney Rose, deputy leader of the county council said: “The penalties imposed on this company show how seriously fire safety arrangements are viewed.
“It is just not acceptable to put people’s lives at risk and these prosecutions will hopefully act as a deterrent to others who think they can ignore what are essential safety measures.”
In total, the charges amounted to a £9,000 fine with the firm ordered to pay costs of £5,000, plus a victim surcharge of £126.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a requirement upon the responsible person, usually the building occupier, operator or owner to undertake a fire risk assessment.
Stuart Garner, premises risk and protection manager for the fire service, said: “By correctly managing their premises and not committing fire safety offences, business operators can avoid placing the occupants at risk of possible death or serious injury .”
For advice on fire safety in the workplace for businesses is visit gov.uk and search ‘fire safety in the workplace’.
