Stockport Development Limited pleaded guilty to a breach of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was ordered to pay a fine of £45,000 plus surcharge of £18,000 and costs of £6,297 at Manchester Magistrates court on 12th December.

These breaches related to a construction site in Manchester which was visited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in November 2023.

The HSE found missing edge protection on first floor landings, missing and damaged security fencing, a lack of fire alarms and extinguishers, heavily obstructed walkways, and inadequate welfare provision for workers.

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This resulted in four improvement notices being served, requiring the company to take action to comply with the law and protect its workers and members of the public.

An HSE investigation established that the company had repeatedly failed to fulfil its principal contractor duties and had failed to take heed of previous warnings and advice given by HSE inspectors.

“This company showed a total disregard for keeping its workers and members of the public safe by failing to meet the most basic health and safety standards,” said HSE inspector Claire Whitehurst.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action, including prosecution, against those that fall below the required standards, even where no incident has occurred.”

The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski and supported by HSE paralegal officer Benjamin Stobbart.