HSE/NW/140/07 27 November 2007
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today warned construction companies to ensure that they complete thorough risk assessments and have proper on-site supervision. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of a Northwich construction company after a two metre wall collapsed, pushing fencing through a classroom window.
Clegg Building Limited of Wall Hill Farm, Acton Bridge, Northwich, was fined £ 3,200 and ordered to pay costs of £4,407 at Chester Magistrates' Court today after pleading guilty to a charge under Regulation 9 (1) of the Construction (Health Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1996.
On 1 December 2006 at St Winifred's Catholic Primary School in Little Neston, South Wirral, employees of Clegg Building Limited were instructed to take down a section of wall, which had been incorrectly built of blocks 140mm wide which collapsed onto a two metre high section of steel mesh perimeter fencing. The fencing in turn struck the cloakroom area window of an occupied classroom, smashing the window and showering glass into the classroom.
HSE Construction inspector Neil Jamieson.said: "Cleggs should have assessed the work activities in a systematic way, so that potential hazards were identified and controlled. They should have had better arrangements in place to monitor and supervise the work on site, risk assessed the demolition of the wall and provided clear instructions to the men undertaking the work. The wall should have been propped during its construction and demolition and the company should either have carried work out outside school hours or they should have reviewed the public protection they had provided prior to starting..
"Had the company acted in a responsible manner and planned the job properly this incident would not have occurred. Fortunately the teacher, her assistant and her 26 year seven pupils were in the middle of the room so nobody was injured by the slivers of glass,"
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Issued on behalf of HSE by Government News Network North West
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