31st July 2018

Company Fined due to Poor Site Management

Recent unannounced inspections at a company’s construction sites undertaken by the HSE revealed widespread safety failings that put workers at risk.

The company (Sherwood Homes) had appointed several Principal Contractors to construct housing developments at two separate sites located in Preston and at Tarporley.

The HSE carried out proactive inspections at both sites and found that those working on site were exposed to a number of serious risks that included falls from height, electrocution, inhalation of silica dust and being struck by construction plant. There were also insufficient welfare facilities at the sites for workers’ welfare.

As a result of the inspections, enforcement action was taken against both the Principal Contractors involved and the Client.

The HSE investigation also found that the company failed to make suitable arrangements for managing the projects and hadn’t even bothered to complete and submit the F10 notice of construction work – a legal requirement before work of this nature begins.

On further investigation it was found that since early 2014, HSE had actually conducted nine inspections to four separate sites developed on behalf of Sherwood Homes Ltd. During these visits, a whopping 16 enforcement notices and nine notification of contraventions were served for various health and safety breaches.

Sherwood Homes Ltd were found guilty of breaching Regulation 6 (2), Regulation 6 (3) and two breaches of Regulation 4 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £76,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,651.64.

Speaking after the hearing the HSE Inspector involved in the case said: “Clients cannot delegate their health and safety responsibilities. CDM 2015 places clear duties on Clients making them accountable for the impact their decisions and approach have on the health, safety and welfare of their project.

“In general terms, the Client must ensure that the construction project is set up so that it is carried out from start to finish in a way that adequately controls the risk to health and safety of those who may be affected by it. In order to achieve this they must engage others (such as Designers and Principal Contractors) that have the necessary skills, knowledge, training and organisational capabilities to fulfil their responsibilities under CDM and deliver the project safely on behalf of the Client. If the Client fails to do this, HSE will consider taking enforcement action against them.”

If you need help with any aspect of Health & Safety compliance, contact us through the website or call us on 0845 459 1724. We have many years’ experience of the Construction sector and can help you reduce the risk of injuries and incidents on site.