HSE Safety warning to construction industry

E031-06 17 March 2006

Pellikaan Construction) Ltd, of Bucklersbury House, Cannon Street, London, was this week fined £45,000 at Stevenage Magistrates Court (15 March 2006). The prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), follows its investigation into an incident when Calum Redman, a 36-year old labourer, was buried beneath falling debris as the first floor of a new build collapsed causing serious injury. The incident happened on 13 November 2004 during the construction of a leisure centre in Royston, Hertfordshire for North Hertfordshire District Council.

Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Norman Macritchie, said:

"Calum Redman was seriously injured during this incident and the fact is, it could have been avoided. It is vital that those in the construction industry take this as a warning as this incident could have had much graver consequences.

Contractors working on temporary structures should conduct suitable risk assessments and take steps to prevent danger from their collapse. For example, by ensuring that temporary support is suitably designed and erected under the supervision of a competent person. An appropriate assessment of the loading forces, and load bearing capacity of the supports, is fundamental.

We wish Calum Redman a speedy recovery."

Pellikaa (Construction) Ltd, pleaded guilty to breaching the following health and safety legislation:

• Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974, Section 2(1);
• Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974, Section 3(1);
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Reg 5(1);
• Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 Reg 4(1),
  (concerning failure to discharge a duty to comply with Regulation 9(1)).

Notes to editors

1. Practical guidance on risk management can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm
2. Further information on construction can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm

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