Why Is On-Site Safety So Important?
January 6, 2022
Heavy Plant Hire, Small Plant, Tools & Equipment, Telehandlers, Skid Steers, Dumpers, Mini Excavators, Watford
Apart from the shortage of building materials etc in the UK, the construction industry is looking pretty healthy considering. However one area of concern is safety, and the importance of proper care and attention on-site. This was highlighted recently when a building company and groundworks subcontractor were fined after an avoidable accident back in 2018. This occurred during prep work for the installation of a number plate recognition camera (ANPRC) in Twyford, Berkshire.
The worker concerned dug manually at first, but began to use a 110V mechanical electric breaker, as there were stubborn hedgerow roots. Unfortunately, the breaker hit a 415v power cable that was supplying a British Telecom building. He received an electric shock which seriously burnt his hand, and other arm. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigated, and discovered proper checks for buried cables had not been carried out. Required checks here involve examining plans for underground cables and the use of a cable avoidance tool.
CLC Contractors Limited of Southampton, were the main contractor and had not put these measures in place. In addition there was a lack of adequately trained labour and supervision at the excavation site. The installation project supervision was found to be inadequate, and there was a failure to plan, manage and monitor the work. The contractors were fined £400,000.00 with costs of £5,300.00. PAG Building Services Ltd, director Paul Gale was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months and 150 hours of community service.
John Caboche, HSE inspector said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working. In this instance, readily available buried service records were not consulted, and a cable avoidance tool was not provided to the groundworks team. Utilising these simple steps would have prevented this serious incident.”
Rhinos are happy to advise those hiring our machinery and equipment for projects in Watford on precautions and safe practices.
