A construction company has been fined for failing to secure a development, which allowed a two-year old boy to access the site…
The principal contractor for a new housing development has been fined after leaving the site unsecured. The firm 360 Property Limited pleaded guilty to the charges against its Oak Road, Blaina development.
The issues were initially brought to light after a Health and Safety Executive inspector visited the site. 360 Property Limited was served an improvement notice after failing to address security issues.
Newport Magistrates’ Court heard the case against the developer. During the process it was revealed that between 22 January this year and 10 June the site was inadequately secured. As a result of this failure a two year old child gained access to the site on 21 May and fell down a drain, which had the cover removed.
The child was not harmed during the incident, but the firm was fined a total of £10,000 and ordered to pay £6,668.15 in costs.
Charges included two offences under the Section 27 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Section 18(2) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015.
HSE Inspector David Kirkpatrick said: “It is absolutely imperative that construction companies adequately secure their construction sites to prevent unauthorised access.
“Construction sites can contain hazards that children and vulnerable people may not fully appreciate.”