Construction Company fined for unsecure site

A construction company has been fined for safety failings which led to a two-year-old boy wandering onto a building site.

The principal contractor for a new build housing development at Oak Road, Blaina were served an improvement notice on the site after site security issues were not addressed, despite a previous visit from a HSE inspector who highlighted concerns.

Newport Magistrates’ Court heard on 20 August how, between 22 January 2015 and 10 June 2015, the construction site was inadequately secured. On 21 May 2015, a two year old child had gained access to the site and was riding his bike when he fell into a drain, the cover of which had been removed. Fortunately, the child was shaken but not injured.

The construction company was fined a total of £10,000, and ordered to pay £6,668 in costs after pleading guilty to two offences under Regulation 27 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and regulation 18 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

HSE Inspector David Kirkpatrick said: “It is absolutely imperative that construction companies adequately secure their construction sites to prevent unauthorised access. Construction sites can contain hazards that children and vulnerable people may not fully appreciate.”

For more information about safety on construction sites log onto the website athttp://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/