Safety Signs News

Small building firms 'cannot ignore health and safety'

25th January 2013 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Jason Nicholls

Small building firms must ensure they keep health and safety in mind, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned.

It has emphasised its intent to punish any organisation that does not appoint competent health and safety specialists to oversee work.

HSE inspector Phil Nicolle said: "Small construction companies cannot ignore their responsibility to effectively manage health and safety.

"Reliance on experience is not enough. Managers and supervisors must be suitably trained to enable them to fulfill their duties and ensure the safety of their workers."

British safety legislation dictates that small builders must have an obligation to manage hazards and risk and inform and train their workforce, while welfare facilities need to be available in the event of an injury.

Recently, the HSE investigated a Barnsley firm after it made safety failings when one of its workers was trapped under a large steel girder.

Sherling Steel UK was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £7,356 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. ADNFCR-2754-ID-801528759-ADNFCR