Fine for company which ignored previous enforcement action

A property development company has been fined £8,000 for failing to adequately assess the risks involved in a refurbishment project, despite having been subject to previous enforcement action.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited a Daneets Developments Limited site in Bond Street, Blackpool, on 7 June 2021 during which enforcement action was taken in relation to general fire precautions, slips and trips, a failure to provide welfare, work at height, use of personal protective equipment, electrical safety, and potential exposure to asbestos.

A follow up visit to the site was then made on 21 June 2021 where further breaches of law relating to work at height and building safety were identified.

An investigation by HSE found the company did not have the organisational capability to comply with their duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.  It also found that lessons from previous enforcement action in 2017, had been ignored.

Daneets Developments Limited of Glenville Close, Cheadle, Cheshire pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Reg 13, and was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,744 at Blackpool Magistrates Court on August 31 2022.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jackie Western said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to their workers in the safe system of working. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.” 

Source HSE Website: 31/08/2022

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