Building firm director fined over failure to provide hot water

A Stockport-based building company director has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after failing to provide his staff with adequate washing facilities.

He was found to have provided unsafe working conditions for 12 employees over a period of three months, by failing to ensure hot water was available for bricklayers, plasterers and roofers to clean dust and residue from their skin.

The HSE ruled that this unnecessarily exposed the workers to possible skin conditions from cement and plaster dust. Roofers were also left at risk of lead poisoning.

The director admitted visiting his site several times per week during the project but did not install hot water until after an HSE inspection took place. He was fined a total of £5,102 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

HSE inspector Matt Greenly said: “This case should act as a warning to companies and directors that we will not hesitate to prosecute if they do not act to ensure the health and safety of their employees.”

Protecting workers from personal injury

This case clearly highlights that companies that put their workers at risk can expect to face serious consequences if they are caught.
Businesses have a duty to ensure their staff are protected, not just from the industrial diseases mentioned above but also any other form of accident in the workplace.

If you feel as though you have sustained an accident at work, Sheldon Davidson Solicitors' team of Personal Injury Lawyers in Manchester will handle every aspect of your claim, ensuring you are awarded the compensation you deserve.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are Personal Injury Claim specialists with expertise in settling a broad range of Personal Injury Claims, including everything from Industrial Disease Claims to Medical Negligence Claims, such as Delayed Diagnosis Claims.

We have a strong record of obtaining practical financial support and high-quality medical care for our clients. To find out more about pursuing your claim, contact our team or fill in our online claim form.