HSE warning after Pontypridd property developers fined for unsafe practices

With increasing numbers of people in Wales going into property development, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding companies about the need to ensure building work is carried out in accordance with health and safety laws.

The warning comes as a Pontypridd property development and construction company was fined £1000 by Cardiff Magistrates after admitting breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Phillips Property Developments Ltd, of Llanover Road, Pontypridd, who undertake small to medium refurbishment work, employed contractors to carry out demolition work on a property in the Grangetown area of Cardiff.

Following a complaint by a member of the public, who was concerned for the workers safety as well as the passing public, an HSE inspector attended the site. Contractors were found removing the roof and walls of the property with no safety measures at all in place.

In addition, slates and other debris from the demolition were being thrown down from the roof area directly over the pavement into the company's van, putting members of the public at risk.

HSE inspector Anne Marie Orrells said: "The standards in place were grossly inadequate and it was just very fortunate that no-one was injured or even killed in this incident.

"Falling from height is one of the biggest killers in the construction industry, and whilst the company had arranged scaffolding as a safe working system, when it failed to arrive the work continued in its absence. With all the defined standards in place then there would negligible risk of serious injury or fatality occurring.

"There was reckless disregard of health and safety requirements and the company's standard of managing health and safety was far below what is required by Health & Safety law and gave rise to serious risks."

"Information about safe working practice and employers' legal responsibilities to its own workforce and those affected by its operations is readily available from HSE.

"Cutting corners can cost firms money, but more seriously, it can cost lives too. "