Construction company fined after 'repeated health and safety failings' across four sites - including Telford

A Wolverhampton construction company has been fined after inspectors found repeated health and safety failures at four of its construction sites across the region.

Ling Developments Limited, of Maypole House, Maypole Street, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 13 (4)(c) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

The company was fined £15,858 and ordered to pay £3,858 in costs at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (April 13) after inspectors found a lack of adequate welfare provision at multiple sites - including one in Telford.

An inspection by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at a Ling Developments Limited’s construction site at The Crest, Oldbury Park, Telford in April 2024 found a failure to provide 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.

The company had already been found three times before to have broken the same law during previous inspections.

An investigation by the HSE found that the company kept failing to provide poor facilities that did not meet legal requirements - even after being warned and given advice by inspectors.

Under The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, principal contractors have a duty to provide specific welfare facilities for construction sites. Washing facilities must include:

• A supply of clean hot and cold or warm water;
• Rest facilities must be equipped with an adequate number of tables and seating;
• Suitable arrangements to ensure meals can be prepared and eaten.

HSE Inspector Natalie Spurrier said: “The provision of suitable welfare facilities such as hot running water and basic rest facilities are the minimum all workers should expect - they aren’t a luxury.

“Our investigation found that Ling Developments Limited failed in its duty to provide the minimum standard of welfare facilities at some of its construction sites.

“Failing to comply with legal obligations such as in cases like this, places workers at unnecessary risk.

“We expect these responsibilities to be taken seriously and HSE will continue to take action when standards fall short.”

The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and supported by HSE paralegal officer Lynne Thomas.