Building contractor sentenced over multiple safety failings

A builder has been sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple health and safety issues at a site where he was carrying out a shop conversion into three apartments.

Between November 2013 and April 2014 a number of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited the site to investigate safety concerns and deal with the risks presented by the building work. A number of issues were identified during the visit, including unsafe work at height, unsafe scaffolding, issues relating to asbestos, fire safety failings, unsafe electric supply, a lack of welfare facilities and safety equipment.

The HSE inspectors served three Prohibition Notices and four Improvement Notices, along with two Notifications of Contravention during the three site visits over only a six month period.

Some of the issues had been satisfactorily dealt with by the builder following HSE’s intervention but the builder had failed to comply with two Improvement Notices regarding fire safety on site.

The builder was charged with two counts of failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, one count of failing to provide adequate fire fighting and fire alarm equipment on site and one count of failing to plan, manage and monitor construction work so that it was carried out in a safe manner.

The builder pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 13(2) and 41(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and two breaches of Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £8,000 with £4,802 costs and a victim surcharge of £120.

Recommendations

Construction work can be potentially dangerous where it is not managed. A health and safety management system for work on a construction site must be robust and cover all significant hazards identified.

Doyle Clayton can support your business with providing health and safety advice and support. Please contact Sally Beck for further information.