A construction company has been fined for failing to provide adequate welfare provision at four of its sites across the West Midlands.
An investigation by the HSE found that Ling Developments Ltd had breached a section of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 requiring principal contractors to provide specific welfare facilities for construction sites.
Failures included no hot or warm water in the toilets and a lack of suitable rest facilities for workers. The inspection resulted in two improvement notices being served, requiring the company to take action to comply with the law.
On three previous occasions, the company had been found to have breached the same legislation.
Repeated welfare failings
In its investigation, HSE identified repeated failings by the company, which, despite enforcement action and advice, continued to provide substandard facilities that contravened its legal duties.
The company was fined £15,858 and ordered to pay £3,853 in costs at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 13 April.
HSE Inspector Natalie Spurrier said: “The provision of suitable welfare facilities such as hot running water and basic rest facilities is the minimum all workers should expect – they aren’t a luxury.”
