A construction company based in South Wales has been fined £100,000 for fire safety failings at its building site.
In July, the HSE conducted an unannounced inspection of the site which comprised dozens of timber frame houses under construction. The inspectors found that the houses carried a serious fire risk to construction workers and the risks had not been properly planned or managed. Examples included a lack of site management control, insufficient means to detect a fire and raise the alarm, poor control of ignition sources and poor emergency planning.
Enforcement Notices were served on fire breaches and vehicle segregation issues. The notices were complied with after two follow-up visits.
The company pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined a total of £100,000 at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court.
After the hearing, the HSE inspector said: “Hale Construction had been given plenty of warnings about fire safety and traffic risks in the recent past, including from HSE.”
The fine sends out a stark warning not only to construction businesses but also clients who engage work to be undertaken on their premises to ensure that appropriate fire and safety controls are in place.
