A construction company and its director have been sentenced after multiple health and safety failings, giving rise to significant risk, were found on a house build site.
The Court heard how three inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took place at the construction site between October and December 2016. As a result of these inspections, multiple prohibition and improvement notices were served on the company for health and safety failings including unsafe scaffolding, unsafe electrics, inadequate welfare, unsafe traffic management, site tidiness and lack of general fire precautions.
The HSE investigation found that as client and principal contractor, the company had failed to put an adequate plan in place to manage and monitor the construction phase of the project and this had led to significant risks on site. They also failed to take adequate action to rectify the failings and comply with the enforcement notices.
The HSE investigation also found that Director of the company, was acting as site manager and directly involved in the failings of the company. The company pleaded guilty to seven charges under health and safety regulations and was fined a total of £35,332.
The company Director pleaded guilty to six charges under Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for the offences by the company being committed with his consent or attributable to his neglect. The Director was sentenced to 166 hours community pay back order and was disqualified from holding a directorship for two years. After the hearing an HM inspector said: “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the standards required on construction sites. HSE will also take action against senior people in those companies for their role in the creation of unacceptable risks on sites.”
Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)