A Cheshire-based property developer has been fined £45,000 for health and safety failures at a Manchester construction site
During a site inspection at a home build project being undertaken by Stockport Development Limited on Kingsley Road, Manchester, in November 2023, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found numerous failings, including:
- Missing edge protection on first-floor landings
- Missing and damaged security fencing
- A lack of fire alarms and extinguishers
- Heavily obstructed walkways
- Inadequate welfare provision for workers
The company repeatedly failed to improve standards
Four Improvement Notices were issued, requiring the company to take immediate action to comply with legal requirements and safeguard both workers and members of the public.
HSE confirmed that the company’s construction sites had been visited on four previous occasions between February 2021 and March 2023, with each inspection resulting in enforcement action due to inadequate health and safety standards. As a result, a formal investigation was launched.
The investigation found that the company had repeatedly failed to discharge its duties as principal contractor and had not acted on earlier warnings or guidance provided by HSE inspectors.
Stockport Development Limited, of Bird Hall Lane, Stockport, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to a breach of regulation 13(1) 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 Friday 12th December.
Contractors are warned that HSE will take action even where no incident has occurred
HSE Inspector, Claire Whitehurst, said: “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.
“Principal contractors have a responsibility to ensure they identify and manage risks involved in construction work, and to put safe systems in place to protect all who may be affected by their undertaking.
“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.”
