A BUILDER has been fined £10,000 for breaching health and safety rules after one of his employees was killed during refurbishment works at a Buckhurst Hill house.

Ajet Krasniqi, 24, died at the home in Broadfield Way when a metal girder fell onto his head back in October 2006.

He was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Plumber and builder Leonard Gibson, of Old Park Ridings in Enfield, who employed Mr Krasniqi as a labourer, was yesterday ordered to pay £10,000 and a further £3,230 in costs after pleading guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act at a hearing in Harlow Magistrates Court.

Mr Krasniqi, a Kosovan, was helping to lift the reinforced steel girder with four other workers when the accident happened.

Government watchdog the Health and Safety Executive said the incident had prompted it to issue a “firm warning” to all traders across the country who employ labourers to do “everything possible to minimise the risks when working with heavy material.”

Inspector Nicola Surrey said: "This tragic incident could have been prevented if the employer had made sure his workers were not left exposed to unnecessary risks.

"There is plenty of advice and guidance available from the HSE to help people comply with the law and keep workers safe.

"However, for those who fall short of the law, the HSE will not hesitate to take action."