A recent case highlights the importance of compliance with the Construction Design Management Regulations and Health and Safety at Work Act, after a contractor was fined £600,000 when a worker died and two others were injured when a platform collapsed at a construction site. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of platforms at the site were not built to an agreed safe design, and had not been checked correctly.
The accident occurred when a temporary platform collapsed and two workers fell around 50 feet onto a partially-constructed staircase killing one and seriously injuring the other. An engineer working on the stairwell was also seriously injured when parts of the platform collapsed onto him.
In assessing the level of the fine, the court ruled that the platforms were unsafe, poorly checked and profit was put before safety. The contractor, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing was ordered to pay £600,000 in fines and £15,000 in costs.
Ison Harrison have advised leading construction PLCs on compliance with the Construction Design Management Regulations and the key changes brought about in the new regulations introduced in 2015. Our specialist lawyers can provide compliance advice and representation at all stages including the pre-contract phase, design phase and the construction phase of a project.
Should an accident happen and the HSE commence an investigation we have a team of specialist lawyers who can assist in interviews under caution and regulatory investigations.
