Taylor Woodrow prosecution highlights construction dangers

COI 719/W/08 18 December 2008

A fatal incident during the construction of the main public building at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff, has prompted the Health and Safety Executive to repeat messages about minimising workplace risks to employees and contractors.

Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd, the company responsible for managing the Assembly's Senedd building project pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at a Cardiff Crown Court hearing on 16 December. They were fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £71,400.

Supervisor, John Walsh died after a wall collapsed, throwing him from his ladder in March 2004. Employed by sub-contractors, Ferson Construction Services Ltd, Mr Walsh who came from Bristol, was responsible for building a blockwork supporting wall at the Senedd. This included a cavity between the wall and the concrete frame of the main structure for insulation and damp-proofing. As Mr Walsh was working to fill the cavity, the wall surged outwards owing to pressure, jettisoning him backwards.

Despite Taylor Woodrow Construction recognising risks before the contract began, HSE inspector Alun Williams said the company had failed to properly manage the risk posed by working at height and by the pressure that the wall experienced during the process.

"There are recognised procedures in the construction industry for backfilling and cavity insulation which would have prevented the wall from surging outwards," said Alun Williams.

"The use of ladders was meant to be strictly controlled on-site, yet one was in use despite a method statement to the contrary."

"The company failed to ensure the method statement was followed and in doing so, failed to manage the activities of others."

Notes to editors

1. Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.
2. Construction is one of the most hazardous occupations in Great Britain. In 2007/8 alone, there were 72 fatalities.
3. In Wales, there were also 705 major injuries to employees or which required three or more days off work.
4. Five of the 72 fatalities in Great Britain occurred in Wales.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Wales.