A construction company based in Manchester has been fined after much of a three-bedroom domestic property in Stretford collapsed during a loft conversion and ground floor extension work. The construction company pleaded guilty and was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the company had been carrying out a loft conversion when it collapsed, causing workers to flee from the site. The building had insufficient temporary supports and workers did not have sufficient skills, knowledge and experience, to carry out the work safely.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to plan properly and monitor the work. They have failed to provide adequate health and safety measures to prevent the risk of collapse at the property including sufficient measures to ensure it remained safe and stable whilst the work was going on.
A HSE inspector said after the hearing: “This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of the collapse. Where contractors fail to take suitable and sufficient precautions whilst carrying out structural alterations HSE will take appropriate action including prosecution.”