Enforcement notices issued by the Health and Safety Inspectorate

​Details of prohibition and improvement notices that have been issued by the Health and Safety Inspectorate.

2023

July to September 2023

Prohibition Notices

Improvement Notices

April to June 2023

Prohibition Notices

Improvement Notices

January to March 2023

Prohibition Notices

Improvement Notices

2022

October to December 2022

Prohibition Notices

Improvement Notices

July to September 2022

Prohibition Notices

2 immediate Prohibition Notice were served:

• 1 relating to unsafe work at height on a construction site
• 1 relating to the removal of asbestos containing materials in an unsafe manner

Improvement Notices

2 Improvement Notices were also served:                

• 1 relating to a failure to provide suitable and sufficient training to employees whose work could forseeably expose them to asbestos (asbestos awareness training) 
• 1 relating to a failure to assess the risks presented by underground services and provide a safe system of work during excavation
  

April to June 2022

Prohibition Notices

Improvement Notices

January to March 2022

Prohibition Notices

Improvement Notices

2021

October to December 2021

July to September 2021

Prohibition Notices

3 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 2 relating to risk of falls during work at height in construction work
• 1 relating to the risk of collapse of an unsupported excavation
  

Improvement Notices

January to March 2021

Prohibition Notices

12 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 2 relating to risk of falls during work at height in construction work
• 7 relating to inadequate arrangements to minimise the spread of Covid-19 on construction sites
• 1 relating to a failure to close a business premises when opening was prohibited under Covid-19 restrictions
• 2 relating to failures by workers to wear a mask or visor when required to be worn as a condition of opening under Covid-19 restrictions

Improvement Notices

7 Improvement Notices were also served:

• 2 relating to a failure to provide adequate welfare facilities in a workplace
• 1 relating to a failure to have an electrical system maintained and inspected
• 1 relating to a failure to have a pressure vessel inspected under a written scheme of examination
• 1 relating to a failure to adequately assess the risks presented by vehicular traffic in a workplace
• 1 relating to a failure by a worker to wear a mask or visor in a food and drink premises when required as a condition of opening under Covid-19 restrictions
• 1 relating to a failure to prepare a written safe work method statement for work with asbestos
  

2020

October to December 2020

Prohibition Notices

11 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 5 relating to unsafe work at height on construction sites
• 3 relating to unsafe access and egress to work at height on construction sites
• 2 relating to a failure to manage the risk of transmission of Coronavirus
• 1 relating to a failure to manage the risks arising from an excavation on a construction site      

Improvement Notices

6 Improvement Notices were also served:

• 2 relating to failures to provide adequate welfare facilities to manage the risk of Coronavirus on construction sites
• 2 relating to a failure to guard crocodile shears in a scrap metal yard
• 1 relating to a failure to implement a contact tracing system in a food and drink premises
• 1 relating to a failure to manage the risk to existing gas fittings in construction work
  

July to September 2020

Prohibition Notices

7 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 6 relating to unsafe work at height on construction sites
• 1 relating to failure, by a licensed establishment, to manage the risk of transmission of COVID-19 taking into account Public Health guidance at Level 1 of the Safe Exit Framework

Improvement Notices

9 Improvement Notices were also served:

• 3 relating to failures to provide adequate welfare facilities on construction sites
• 2 relating to insufficient measures being in place to ensure that live electrical services were removed, disconnected or isolated before buildings were demolished
• 1 relating to a failure of a Principal Contractor to adequately monitor and supervise the work of employees and contractors on a construction site
• 1 relating to a failure to provide training to the operators of lift trucks
• 1 relating to the failure of an employer with more than 5 employees to adequately assess the significant risks to which employees are exposed whilst at work
  

April to June 2020

Prohibition Notices

12 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 6 relating to unsafe work at height on construction sites
• 1 relating to an unsafe and unguarded table saw on a construction site
• 1 relating to unacceptable standards of housekeeping on a construction site
• 1 relating to unsafe access and egress to work at height on a construction site
• 1 relating to a failure to implement a safe system of work whilst painting a house
• 2 relating to inadequate measures being taken to minimise the spread of COVID-19 on construction sites

Improvement Notices

2 Improvement Notices were also served:

• both related to a failure to provide adequate welfare arrangements on construction sites
  

January to March 2020

Prohibition Notices

6 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 3 relating to unsafe work at height on construction sites
• 2 relating to unsafe access and egress to work at height on construction sites
• 1 relating to unsafe work on utilities in an excavation with inadequate shoring
  

Improvement Notices

9 Improvement Notices were also served:

• 3 relating to guarding of power guillotines in engineering workshops
• 2 relating to control of exposure to welding fume in engineering workshops
• 1 relating to a hotel employing more than 5 people that had failed to prepare a written statement of the employer’s policy with respect to health and safety
• 1 relating to the use of a chainsaw in horticulture without appropriate training
• 1 relating to a failure to control the risk of falling objects on a construction site
• 1 relating to a failure to keep a construction site orderly and tidy by actively managing housekeeping

2019

October to December 2019

Prohibition Notices

9 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 3 relating to unsafe work at height on construction sites
• 2 relating to unsafe work at height whilst carrying out roof repairs
• 1 relating to unsafe work at height whilst decorating the exterior of a property
• 1 relating to unsafe work at height whilst power washing the roof of a hotel
• 1 relating to a failure to adequately guard a table saw on a construction site
• 1 relating to a failure to adequately guard a bandsaw used in a butcher’s shop

Improvement Notices

2 Improvement Notices were also served:

• both notices related to hotels employing more than five people that had failed to prepare a written statement of the employer’s policy with respect to health and safety

July to September 2019

Prohibition Notices

11 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 5 relating to unsafe work at height on construction sites
• 1 relating to the risks of falling into an excavation
• 1 relating to the risk of a collapse of an excavation
• 1 relating to failure to properly plan work at height
• 1 relating to unsafe access and egress onto a scaffold
• 1 relating to an unsafe electrical distribution system on a construction site
• 1 relating to unsafe removal, handling and storage of asbestos cement

Improvement Notices

8 Improvement Notices were also served:

• 1 requiring adequate welfare facilities for workers on a construction site
• 1 requiring a written Construction Phase Plan
• 1 requiring a sufficient risk assessment of general risks be carried out
• 1 requiring a risk assessment for the use of a vehicle tail-lift
• 1 requiring an electrical system to be tested so as to prevent danger
• 1 requiring a written scheme of examination for a pressure vessel
• 1 requiring thorough examination of a lifting appliance (fork lift truck)
• 1 requiring a safe system of work for excavation into a hillside

April to June 2019

Prohibition Notices

• 4 resulting from poorly planned construction work at height leading to a risk of falls from unprotected edges
• 1 resulting from a failure to provide safe access and egress to a place of work at height
• 1 for a failure to control the risk of falls from height during the erection of a temporary roof scaffold 
• in addition, 1 was served for failure to guard the dangerous part of a commercial food mixer

Improvement Notices

2 Improvement Notices were also served:

• 1 for failure to have a safe system of work whilst excavating near to buried utilities
• 1 for failure to produce a safe work method statement, design and calculations for a temporary support to a structure during construction 

January to March 2019

Prohibition Notices

12 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 6 resulting from poorly planned construction work at height leading to a risk of falls from unprotected edges
• 3 relating to unsafe access onto and around a construction site, including areas where work at height was taking place
• 1 relating to a risk of falls from a poorly maintained scaffold on a construction site
• 1 relating to inappropriate use of a tower scaffold leading to unsafe work at height
• 1 relating to unsafe access onto and around a construction resulting from a risk of falls through open joists

Improvement Notices

6 Improvement Notices were served:

• 1 for failure to review and revise the significant risks to health and safety presented by scaffolding erection and dismantling
• 1 for failure to make a sufficient assessment of the risks relating to segregation of pedestrians, traffic and plant on a construction site
• 1 for failure to provide a safe work method statement with regard to the use of mobile powered plant on a construction site
• 1 for failure to prepare a Construction Phase Plan prior to commencement of construction work
• 1 for failure to provide adequate welfare facilities on a construction site
• 1 for failure to have in place sufficient systems to ensure that construction work does not affect the safety of existing gas appliances 
  

2014 to 2018

July to December 2018

Prohibition Notices

18 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 13 relating to unsafe work at height in the construction industry
• 1 relating to the failure to provide safe access and egress to scaffold
• 1 relating to the failure to provide a safe scaffold
• 1 relating to the failure to maintain an electrical system in good repair and working order
• 1 relating to the failure to implement a safe system of work for washing windows
• 1 relating to the failure to implement a safe system of work to clean guttering

Improvement Notices

5 Improvement Notices were served for the failure to:

• comply with the duties placed on the client for construction work
• produce a specific design for a temporary roof scaffold
• maintain gas appliances
• provide adequate welfare amenities on a construction site
• prepare a Construction Phase Plan prior to construction work starting

January to June 2018

Prohibition Notices

7 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 2 preventing the spraying of isocyanate containing paint in the motor industry without adequate safeguards and the correct respiratory protection
• 2 relating to the use of machinery where adequate precautions had not been taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine
• 1 relating to unsafe work at height whilst conducting roof repairs
• 1 relating to unsafe work at height whilst power washing a roof
• 1 relating to insufficient measures taken to protect the public whilst erecting scaffolding

Improvement Notices

13 Improvement Notices were served:

• 3 for failure to adequately manage violence and aggression and ensure a safe environment in a healthcare setting
• 4 for failure to have LEV thoroughly examined and tested in relation to the control of substances hazardous to health
• 1 for failure to provide and record training in woodworking machinery
• 2 for failure to provide employees with asbestos awareness training in the construction industry
• 3 for failure to adequately plan, manage and monitor construction projects

July to December 2017

Prohibition Notices

7 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 2 relating to unsafe work at height in the construction industry
• 1 preventing the spraying of isocyanate containing paint in the motor industry without adequate safeguards
• 1 relating to the failure to provide and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn during chainsaw operations
• 1 for failure to ensure suitably trained operatives adhere to a safe system of work when drilling holes in asbestos cement
• 1 preventing work on asbestos containing materials without proper training
• 1 relating to an unsafe system of work whilst hedge cutting

Improvement Notices

3 Improvement Notices were served for the failure to:

• provide employees with asbestos awareness training
• plan, manage and monitor construction projects
• provide appropriate training for chainsaw operations
  

January to June 2017

Prohibition Notices

15 immediate Prohibition Notices were served:

• 8 relating to the failure to provide suitable or sufficient measures to prevent a fall when working at height
• 1 prohibiting the use of a defective passenger lift in an apartment block
• 1 prohibiting the use of unsafe skip lifting equipment on a vehicle
• 1 relating to the failure by a licensed asbestos removal contractor to carry out licensed asbestos removal work, in accordance with the terms and conditions of its licence
• 1 relating to the failure by a licensed asbestos removal contractor to ensure a decontamination unit, which met the required standard, was provided during licensed asbestos removal work
• 1 relating to aerial tree work being undertaken in an unsafe manner with no provision for aerial rescue
• 1 relating to the failure to provide and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn during chainsaw operations
• 1 relating to the failure to ensure those carrying out aerial tree work had been provided with appropriate training

Improvement Notices

7 Improvement Notices were served for the failure to:

• provide suitable and sufficient supervision and monitoring in a joinery workshop
• have a written health and safety policy
• have suitable arrangements to certify employees as competent to operate construction plant
• provide employees with asbestos awareness training
• provide appropriate training for chainsaw operations
• ensure that arrangements were in place for a scaffold to be inspected by a competent person at least every seven days
• plan, manage and monitor construction projects
  

July to December 2016

Prohibition Notices

4 immediate Prohibition Notices were served during this period, which legally prohibited the activity continuing until the appropriate steps had been taken to address the failings;

• 1 prohibiting the use of a defective passenger lift in a retail store
• 2 relating to roof work where no steps had been taken to prevent persons falling a distance of greater than 6 feet 6 inches from the roof edge
• 1 relating to aerial tree work being undertaken in an unsafe manner, including a failure to have an appropriate rescue climber on site

Improvement Notices

2 Improvement Notices were served, which legally required the duty holder to remedy a breach of the Law within a specified time period:

• 1 for the failure to have a written health and safety policy
• 1 for the failure to carry out a risk assessment relating to the safety of persons associated with a construction project 

January to June 2016

Prohibition Notices

6 Prohibition Notices were served;

• 1 prohibiting the use of a defective vehicle lift
• 1 prohibiting the use of a poorly maintained stepladder
• 4 relating to work where no, or insufficient, steps had been taken to prevent exposure to a fall from a height of more than six feet six inches

Improvement Notices

27 Improvement Notices were served, of which 23 Notices relating to the training of operatives:

• 10 Notices relating to the failure to provide refresher training in the use of chainsaws when carrying out aerial tree work*
• 10 Notices relating to the failure to provide refresher training in aerial rescue during aerial tree work*
• the failure to provide rescue climbers with aerial rescue training during aerial tree work*
• the failure to provide refresher training to scaffold operatives
• the failure to provide training to plant operators

* These Notices were all served in connection with a targeted initiative of the local arboriculture industry. A separate article regarding this initiative is published on the website.

The remaining four Notices were served as follows:

• 2 Notices relating to the failure to prepare a written Health and Safety Policy
• the failure to assess the risks associated with demolition, including electricity and gas supplies
• the failure to assess the risks associated with operatives and traffic operating in the same area

July to December 2015

Prohibition Notices

8 Prohibition Notices were served:

• 4 of which were prohibiting work on a flat roof without suitable edge protection to prevent a fall from height
• prohibiting the use of a swing boat which had failed
• prohibiting the use of a reinforcing bar cutting machine due to ineffective arrangements for ensuring employee’s safety
• prohibiting the removal of asbestos cement roof sheets without appropriate training
• prohibiting the lifting of persons on the forks of a forklift truck in unsuitable appliances

Improvement Notices

8 Improvement Notices were served:

• 2 relating to the failure to ensure the safety of employees when working near electrical equipment
• 2 relating to the failure to provide appropriate asbestos awareness training
• the failure to ensure construction plant operatives are appropriately trained and assessed as competent 
• the failure to have effective arrangements for managing the maintenance of the vehicle fleet, including construction plant
• the failure to prepare a written Health and Safety Policy
• the failure to provide evidence that the dust extraction and collection system is examined yearly

January to June 2015

Prohibition Notices

9 Prohibition Notices were served; 1 related to inadequate steps taken to prevent the walls of an excavation collapsing, and 8 related to work which exposed operatives to the risk of a fall of more than 6 feet 6 inches:

• 4 relating to work on a flat roof without edge protection
• during landscaping work to a garden at the top edge of a sea wall
• during the erection of  scaffold
• the removal of a glass roof
• the erection of hoarding on top of a wall

In all of the above cases no, or insufficient, steps had been taken to prevent a fall from height.

Improvement Notices

3 Improvement Notices were served for:

• the failure to provide appropriate asbestos awareness training to employees
• the failure to provide adequate training to scaffolders
• the failure to provide training to employees who use chainsaws

July to December 2014

Prohibition Notices

2 Prohibition Notices were served:

• prohibiting the use of an excavator which was shown, during an examination by a competent engineer, to have evidence of serious mechanical wear and tear, and an electrical fault, which affected its safe operation
• due to the risk of a fall from height due to the lack of suitable guard rails to the inside of a scaffold platform and an excessive inside gap between the edge of the scaffold platform and the face of the building

Improvement Notices

6 Improvement Notices were served:

• 2 relating to the failure to provide appropriate asbestos awareness training to employees
• the failure to adequately assess and control the foreseeable risk of known asbestos-containing insulation board sustaining inadvertent damage, thereby exposing persons to the risk of airborne asbestos fibres
• the failure to ensure a safe system of work for cleaning windows
• the failure to carry out a risk assessment to ensure the safe use of ladders for work at height
• the failure to ensure the safe storage of articles and substances, including highly flammable liquids 

January to June 2014

Prohibition Notices

3 Prohibition Notices were served; all related to unsafe roof work which exposed operatives to the risk of a fall of more than 6 feet 6 inches:

• erection of a large agricultural building: no guard rails had been erected to prevent a fall from the edge of the roof, and no nets had been erected to mitigate the consequences of a fall during the laying of the roof sheets
• work on an asbestos cement roof: insufficient precautions had been taken to prevent a fall from the edge of the roof or through the fragile roof sheets
• re-felting of dormer roof structures: no precautions taken to prevent a fall from the roof

Improvement Notices

2 Improvement Notices were served in relation to a failure to adequately manage and control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria.