Property Developer Receives Custodial Sentences For Serious Demolition Site Safety Breaches

Construction is dangerous business. Whilst the number of deaths has decreased in recent years, in 2017-2018 there were 38 construction worker fatalities across the UK, with another 64,000 workers having suffered non-fatal injuries (2016-2017).

These figures are higher than in any other industry sector, with most fatal accidents occurring as a result of falling from a height. A high proportion of these incidents occur on small construction projects. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is well aware of this fact, and as well as performing spot-checks on construction sites, also routinely carries out targeted inspection initiatives.

Construction Health and Safety Regulations

There are several Construction Health and Safety Regulations applying to works on construction sites, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, as well as construction specific legislation such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Over the years the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM Regulations) have been amended to place more responsibility on the client, with the intention that the client, as the one who "holds the purse strings", can ensure health and safety is given the prominence it deserves.

The CDM Regulations require clients to satisfy numerous obligations, including making suitable arrangements for managing...