Fine for construction firm for numerous health and safety failings
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed that a construction company based in the Welsh town of Ammanford has committed a number of health and safety failings and has received a fine.
The problems with T Richard Jones (Betws) Ltd.’s business practices were uncovered during a routine inspection of a site in Swansea back in the summer of 2011. HSE inspectors were informed upon their arrival that the site manager was on holiday, despite the fact that it is a requirement that a site manager is present at all times to manage health and safety risks.
There were also problems with a couple of employees not undergoing the proper health and safety training or having the right equipment to work at height. Workers were also found not to have the right protective clothing, gloves or glasses to protect them whilst working with the dangerous substance lime mortar.
The HSE took the decision to prosecute the owners of the company, and the court case resulted in a fine of £2,000 plus court costs of over £3,500.
Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Phil Nicolle said:
“Construction companies have a duty to ensure that their sites are operated in a safe way. Putting these matters right was neither expensive nor technically difficult.”