Ignoring HSE enforcement notices can cost construction companies and directors heavily. Learn from a recent North London case and discover practical steps to stay compliant and protect your team.
Health and safety compliance is critical in construction. Recent cases show just how costly it can be when companies and directors ignore HSE Prohibition and Improvement Notices. Beyond fines, non-compliance puts workers at risk and exposes directors to personal liability.
A recent case in North London illustrates the consequences. A director and his company repeatedly failed to address unsafe working conditions during a residential conversion project. Despite multiple HSE inspections, work at height risks and other hazards were allowed to continue. The result? The company was fined £7,200 and the director personally £10,800, plus court costs.
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HSE enforcement notices are legally binding. Improvement Notices require businesses to fix breaches of health and safety law within a set timeframe, while Prohibition Notices immediately stop unsafe work where there is a risk of serious injury. Ignoring either can lead to criminal prosecution and personal liability for directors.
The costs of non-compliance go beyond fines. Companies may face project delays, increased regulatory scrutiny, and reputational damage. Many enforcement issues arise because businesses lack competent health and safety advice. Professional guidance ensures notices are properly understood, addressed quickly, and documented.
Construction companies should take action to prevent enforcement issues: engage professional health and safety support, review site procedures regularly, train managers on compliance responsibilities, and document all remedial actions. At Acreditsafe, we provide practical advice to help construction businesses stay compliant, protect their workforce, and reduce the risk of enforcement action.
The key message is clear: HSE enforcement notices are not optional. Ignoring them puts both people and directors at risk. Staying proactive with health and safety support is the best way to avoid fines, protect your team, and ensure projects run safely and smoothly.
Read the full HSE article: HSE News
Learn more about Acreditsafe services: www.acreditsafe.com