A building contractor has been fined for failing to implement sufficient welfare facilities on a building site in Culcheth, Warrington…
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a Warrington-based building contractor has been fined for serious failings. Charges were brought against Phillip Affleck after a member of the public complained in May 2014 about the conditions of the site he was working on.
The case, which was brought before Trafford Magistrates’ Court, heard the HSE had found access to the site was restricted, as well as a lack of health and safety provisions and welfare facilities. The site was closed by the HSE while arrangements were made to erect scaffolding to make access safer.
The HSE found no protection had been provided for workers who were subjected to dust from sandblasting.
Additionally, there were no facilities to wash hands to remove contaminants that could have been picked up during groundworks and bricklaying duties.
The HSE issued an Improvement Notice requiring sanitary, washing, and rest facilities to be installed at the site.
Affleck pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 22 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 7 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. He received a £4,000 fine and was ordered to pay costs of £2,495.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Deborah Walker said: “It is hoped that this case serves as a lesson to all Principal Contractors that they must provide suitable toilets, washing facilities which include hot and cold running water and suitable, sheltered rest facilities for all workers engaged on their sites.”