Boss admits fire-safety breaches put workers lives at risk

A stack of wood piled high inside one of the units

A FORMER managing director has pleaded guilty to a string of fire-safety charges which put 40 employees at risk.

Martin Muldowney (46), of Stubley Mill Road, Littleborough, was the former director of furniture manufacturer CFS Furniture Ltd, based in two units at Laurel Trading Estate, Higginshaw.

He pleaded guilty at Oldham magistrates court to seven counts of failing to safeguard the safety of his 40 employees.

Charges included having an incorrectly-installed fire alarm, lack of fire resistance between floors, and failure to properly indicate exit routes.

The company was charged with the same offences and Muldowney, as its representative, pleaded guilty to these too.

Warren Spencer, prosecuting, said the company - which went into liquidation shortly after the court summons was issued on January 23 - operated from two adjoining industrial premises, one of which had two mezzanine floors. A large hole had been created in a dividing wall between the adjoining units — so in a fire, smoke would enter both units.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) audit in October 2010 highlighted concerns about the fabric of the building, which appeared not to be building regulations compliant.

“Any fire would simply rip through the ceiling,” said Mr Spencer. He added that the factory was high risk because of the volume of timber and foam it contained, but that there was no system in place for those on the second floor in one building to escape if there was a fire next door.

The fire service issued a prohibition order to stop use of the upper floors, and work was undertaken to install fire-safety features.

Muldowney was issued similar orders in 2003, 2005 and 2006 relating to other companies with which he was involved.

Mr Spencer said the maximum possible fine of £5,000 per charge - £70,000 in all - could be directed towards the company or the defendant.

Representing himself, Muldowney said he had not been company director for CFS since being declared bankrupt in February 2011.

He told the court there was a fire alarm on the premises, but admitted staff in some parts of the units couldn’t hear it and a flashing warning light had been installed. He said work to address fire-safety issues had been carried out within a week.

Magistrates adjourned sentence until March 30 for Muldowney to supply company accounts, personal bank statements and insolvency order documents.

After the hearing, assistant chief fire officer Peter O’Reilly said by failing to take basic fire-safety measures, the company had put the lives of its 40 employees at risk.

“Martin Muldowney was no stranger to us and should have known what was expected of him,” he said.

“The lack of an adequate fire-alarm system and escape routes for workers was unacceptable and as staff were using the upper floors, the outbreak of any fire in these premises undoubtedly posed a serious threat to life.

“Within a week (of the prohibition order), the company took action to make the premises safe which raises the question why they had failed to do so in the first place.”