Uncontrolled work on site
There are an increasing number of instances where work is being carried
out on-site without adequate control.
An otherwise satisfactory HSE inspection was recently jeapordised when
the inspector, on his way out of the offices, was confronted with a
'youth hanging on some freestanding scaffolding using a power tool'.
Evidently the 'brand ' had organised an updated sign to be affixed to
the building cladding. They had engaged a sub-contractor who had engaged
a self employed sub-contractor - who had simply turned up in his van
told reception and 'got on with the job'. No Risk Assessment, No Rules
for Contractors, No Permit to Work. No Control.
Last year, in a very similar situation, a 25 year old father of two
children was killed when he fell. In that instance the dealership was
fined £130,000 with £40,000.00 HSE costs in the criminal court. The
civil damages claim will be in excess of £1m. No one should be allowed
to work on your site without proper controls being put in place -
especially building repair and maintenance contractors.