Hoyle Developments Limited, a building firm based in Rochdale, has been fined £120,000 for a series of health and safety violations, including an incident where workers were lifted into the air by a raised telehandler bucket. The company faced charges related to inadequate scaffolding, lack of welfare facilities, and insecure fencing at The Villas development in Littleborough, Greater Manchester.

The Incident:

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered a photograph capturing the moment when two workers stood in the bucket of a raised telehandler to fit a stone onto the top of a new home in Littleborough. This incident was part of a broader pattern of health and safety failings identified during construction work at The Villas development.

Inspection Findings:

HSE inspectors visited the housing development on July 7, 2021, issuing a Prohibition Notice for inadequate scaffolding and Improvement Notices for insufficient welfare facilities and insecure fencing. The inspection revealed repeated breaches, including inadequate welfare provisions, unsuitable controls for work at height, and insufficient protection from silica dust exposure.

Enforcement History:

The HSE had visited the same housing development site multiple times between November 2018 and August 2021, identifying persistent breaches. Hoyle Developments Limited received multiple Notifications of Contraventions, Prohibition Notices, and Improvement Notices during these inspections.

Legal Consequences:

Hoyle Developments Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £3,165.15 in costs at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on January 25, 2023.

HSE Inspector’s Statement:

HSE inspector Mike Lisle emphasized the proactive nature of the prosecution, highlighting that the HSE would take enforcement action against those consistently falling below required health and safety standards. He underscored the importance of integrating health and safety as a fundamental aspect of business operations.

The £120,000 fine against Hoyle Developments Limited underscores the significance of prioritizing health and safety in construction projects. This case serves as a reminder that adherence to proper safety protocols, including scaffolding, welfare facilities, and work at height controls, is essential to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of workers on construction sites. Companies are urged to implement clear health and safety policies from the outset to maintain a safe working environment.