A construction firm has been fined a total of £76,000 after Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors discovered multiple health and safety failings across two of its sites.
Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court heard that Stockport-based Sherwood Homes had appointed several principal contractors to construct numerous domestic properties at two sites, in Preston and at Tarporley – but failed to fulfil its CDM responsibilities.
HSE inspectors visited both sites and found that those working on site were exposed to risks that included falls from height, electrocution, inhalation of silica dust and being struck by construction plant.
An investigation found that the company failed to make suitable arrangements for managing the projects. There was no F10 notice of construction work displayed, and insufficient welfare facilities at the Tarporley site. The company also failed to give notice in writing to HSE before the construction phase began at the Preston site.
It also emerged that since early 2014, HSE conducted nine inspections to four separate sites developed on behalf of Sherwood Homes. During these visits, 16 enforcement notices and nine notifications of contraventions were served for various health and safety breaches.
HSE inspector Susan Ritchie 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.”
Sherwood Homes of Houldsworth Street, Stockport, was 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.
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Try explaining CDM to most SME,s and they look at you like you are from another planet. HSE should take some of the blame due to the fact they do not highlight it to the general public and builders. It is the same with Asbestos regs HSE do not give it the High Profile it desrves.
I agree, in part, with Graham, FREE training for all SMEs in a local area, not London or Birmingham, although they would / could be included in local training sessions. Perhaps local safety groups could provide a day’s training and advertise an article in the local press/radio may be even TV!
The but would be, this company, after receiving 16 enforcement notices and 9 HSE inspections, you would think they could have made some improvements to mitigate the outcome. Or maybe like a lot of SMEs they do not realize the severity of ignoring good health and safety advice!
Well said Graham, we all need to own health and safety responsibilities on the sites we work on.