Company fined after failing to comply with enforcement action

Hatchmere Park Ltd has been fined after failing to comply with enforcement safety notices.Wooden Gavel

On 12 March 2015, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visited the construction site at Falcon Park, Devon and observed serious health and safety failings.

Exeter Crown Court heard the HSE visited the site after being alerted of unsafe construction work taking place by the Local Authority, and noticed residents were being put at risk as some homes were at risk to falls taking place, with nearby walls creating drops of two to four and a half metres, with nothing in place to prevent falls from happening.

An investigation by the HSE and Torbay Council found multiple safety failings. There was overall a failure to take reasonable steps to manage the construction work without risk to the health and safety of both workers and residents.

The company failed to comply with improvement notices served by both the HSE and Torbay Council, relating to site security including the fencing, perimeter and signs that identify the construction site.

Hatchmere Park Ltd of Nottingham Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire has pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges laid by both HSE and Torbay Council for a failure to comply with the enforcement notices and for breaching Regulation 9(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

The company also pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

The company has been fined a total of £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Helena Allum said:

“This company has a history of failing to comply with Health and Safety enforcement notices, in this case putting residents, some vulnerable, at risk of an accident, which was not acceptable.

“This case highlights the importance of properly managing construction work from the outset and demonstrates what can happen if companies fail to take action when issued with enforcement notices.”