The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Bradford-based property developer for serious safety failings that endangered the lives of workers on a refurbishment project in Hull.

In October 2007, HQ Leisure Limited was converting a row of four-storey terrace buildings into 28 apartments at a site on Albion Street in Hull.

Inspectors from the HSE found a number of safety failings on the site, which could have caused a serious injury or fatality.

The problems included rear scaffolding which was dangerously unstable because of missing structural supports – as well as roofing materials being thrown from a 15-metre high platform at the roof eaves and into an area where other contractors were working below.

The HSE inspection of the site also found that unsuitable ladders were being used to access the upper floors of the properties – and insufficient and unsecured boards were being used in the roof space, leaving workers at risk of falling through the ceiling joists. Voids created by the demolition of a rear extension had also not been guarded to prevent falls out of the building.

The inspectors also found that no lavatory had been provided for the workers and the washing facilities on site were inadequate.

On Tuesday (23/02/10) at Hull Magistrates' Court, HQ Leisure Limited, of Park Drive, Bradford, pleaded guilty to six charges – one breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, two breaches of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and three breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The company was fined £10,000 with £10,000 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Stephen Hargreaves said that HQ Leisure Limited had ‘blatantly disregarded’ the importance of a safe working site, which had left their workers at the Albion street site at risk of serious injury or possibly death.

‘Many people are killed on construction sites every year and suitable planning and risk management is vital to prevent unnecessary risk,’ said Mr Hargreaves.

‘That clearly didn’t happen on this occasion and there are a number of simple, practical measures that could and should have been taken by HQ Leisure Ltd.

‘Property developers must be aware of their duties towards the health and safety of their workers – and HSE will continue to take action where we find significant risks to workers,’ he added.

The prosecution coincides with the HSE’s campaign ‘Shattered Lives’, which highlights the dangers of slips, trips and falls in key sectors, including construction and refurbishment. More information is available at www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives.

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