Three Luton car repair companies have been prosecuted for failing to act on electrical defects in their workshops.
Azhar Mohammed, trading as ANS Bodyshop and AMS Spares, Izhar Ul Haq, trading as BM's Repair Centre and Asif Butt (Hydeny Autos) were convicted and sentenced with a combined fine of £4,000 for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Luton Magistrates Court heard how electrical equipment in the three firms' workshops were defective, creating a risk of electrocutions, shocks, fire or even explosions.
When the Health and Safety Executive carried out follow-up checks on the notices which they served, it found that all three businesses had failed to arrange tests or examinations.
Stephen Manley, investigating inspector, said: "Improvement notices are served for a reason – to correct failures of a business to properly protect workers or members of the public. We will not tolerate our notices being ignored."
Recently, Peter John Morrell was prosecuted after ignoring a legal order preventing him from issuing safety certificates on inflatable amusements.