08/03/2022
A sole trader has been fined for failing to plan, manage and monitor construction work being carried out under their control.
The Court heard how the sole trader was the principal contractor carrying out extensive refurbishment works to extend a detached property for the client.
During the refurbishment, the HSE carried out six inspections of the site, which resulted in the sole trader being issued with 3 prohibition notices for breaches of the Working at Height Regulations 2005, with a fourth notice being issued in respect of the stability of the roof trusses at the property.
Whilst receiving these 4 prohibition notices, the sole trader was also served with three improvement notices in respect of the control of wood dust, access and egress and competent supervision.
During a re-visit to the property, the HSE inspector ocnfifmed that the sole trader continued in his failure to plan, manage and monitor the construction work being carried out under his control. He also failed to comply with the prohibition notice for work at height and the improvement notice which referred to the training of a competent Site Manager.
The sole trader pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and two counts of breaching Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was ordered to serve a community order, which involves undertaking 280 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
