Industry news
Firm fined over site safety risks
Posted Wed, 24 Feb
A Bradford property developer has been fined after a building site in Hull exposed workers to "risk of serious injury or death", the Health and Safety Executive said.
HQ Leisure Limited was ordered to pay £10,000 at Hull Magistrates' Court after admitting to six breaches of regulations covering health and safety, construction and work at height.
The site in Albion Street, Hull, where a row of four-storey terrace buildings was being transformed into apartments, posed several safety problems that could have endangered the lives of workers, the court heard.
In October 2007, inspectors found unstable scaffolding missing structural supports, roofing materials being thrown from a 15 metre height near to other workers and the use of unsuitable ladders to access upper floors.
After the court case, HSE inspector Stephen Hargreaves said: "HQ Leisure Limited blatantly disregarded the importance of a safe working site, leaving their workers on Albion Street at risk of serious injury or even death.
"Many people are killed on construction sites every year, and suitable planning and risk management is vital to prevent unnecessary risk."
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