Principal contractor fined £18,000 after poor safety practices

A Surrey based construction company has been fined after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found safety breaches on site.

Reading Magistrates’ Court heard how HSE inspectors were carrying out a proactive inspection at a domestic property in Sunningdale, Ascot which Portico Design and Developments Limited were appointed as the principal contractor.

This proactive inspection was part of a construction focused inspection initiative and found poor safety standards on site.

It was found that Portico Design and Developments failed to properly manage the temporary work on site and that it was at risk of collapse. A number of walls had been demolished and the remaining walls were held up with acro props.

Portico Design and Developments Limited of Wellington Avenue, Surrey pleaded guilty/found guilty of breaching Regulation 19(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

The company has been fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of £16,674.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Adam Wycherley said: “Portico failed to properly manage this project and allowed work to continue on site when it was unsafe to do so.

“This case is a perfect example that HSE can and will bring those to justice who fall below the required standard of health and safety practices.”