Firm fined after lack of hygiene facilities for workers

Date:

30 January 2012

A Bristol building firm has been fined after a court heard it failed to provide basic washing and welfare facilities for workers despite enforcement action at another of its sites.

The Health and Safety Executive visited CR Construction (SW) Ltd on 16 June 2011 at its building site at Pembroke Road in Clifton, Bristol, and found completely inadequate washing and bathroom facilities.

Bristol Magistrates' Court heard managers of the company knew exactly what the requirements were, as an Improvement Notice was earlier issued at another site run by the company in Thornbury.

On further investigation, the HSE inspectors found the failings had been apparent at the Clifton site for the whole year it had existed. The court heard up to sixteen building people worked on site and facilities were way below the minimum requirements.

HSE inspector Sue Adsett said:

"Workers on sites such as these need access to clean and working toilets and hand washing facilities with hot and cold running water, soap and towels, as many materials used on such sites can cause skin problems.

"It is also a legal requirement to have a heated room on site where workers can change, rest, and make hot drinks and food if required."

CR Construction (SW) Ltd of Tereslake Green, Bristol pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 22 (1) (c) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 under Section 33 (1) (c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,014.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 22 (1) (c) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (the Regulations) "states that the duties of the principal contractor shall ensure that welfare facilities sufficient to comply with the requirements of Schedule 2 are provided throughout the construction phase."
3. Section 33 (1) (c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: "It is an offence for a person to contravene any health and safety regulations or any requirement or prohibition imposed under any such regulations (including any requirement or prohibition to which he is subject by virtue of the terms of or any condition or restriction attached to any licence, approval, exemption or other authority issued, given or granted under the regulations)."
4. HSE news releases are available at www.hse.gov.uk/press

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR (South West)