Construction News

24/10/2014

Firm Fined After Worker Cuts Into Mains Cable

Vermont Capitol Ltd has been fined £2,000 and ordered to pay court fees after pleading guilty to a breach of the CDM regulations.

The firm admitted that it had failed to ensure that mains electricity supply had been disconnected to a construction site, but had informed the site foreman that it had.

A 22-year-old labourer, asked to remove old pipes and cables from the cellar of a buidling site on Shaw Street in Liverpool, cut into the live mains cable with an angle grinder. The incident happened on 02 August 2013.

-- Advertisement --

The labourer was blown across the room, with Liverpool Magistrates’ Court hearing that he was lucky to survive the cutting into what he was told was a disconnected cable.

The HSE said that is it "vital that developers take the risks seriously from gas pipes and electricity cables and get written confirmation that supplies have been disconnected before starting work. Otherwise lives will continue to be put at risk."

(MH/CD)

News Archive

Latest Construction News

03/07/2025

ABP Submits Plans For First Phase Of 103,000 sq...

Associated British Ports (ABP) has submitted a reserved matters application for 103,000 sq ft of speculative industrial and logistics space at Helm @ Immingham. This marks the first phase of development at the 227-acre site. The scheme will deliver a range of purpose-built units from 4,820 sq ft

03/07/2025

£6.1m Energy Upgrades Set For 645 Oldham Homes

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is set to begin a major new phase of energy efficiency upgrades this month, with a £6.1 million investment aimed at improving 645 homes across the borough. Starting 14 July, properties in Abbey Hills, Roundthorn, Shaw, and several estates in Chadderton will receive

03/07/2025

First Phase Of Major M181 Southern Junction Sch...

Plans to boost North Lincolnshire's transport infrastructure have reached a significant milestone with the completion of Phase 1 of the M181 'southern junction' project. Led by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with National Highways, the multi-million-pound scheme includes the construction

03/07/2025

Watford Colosseum Refurbishment Reaches Practic...

The multi-million-pound refurbishment of Watford Colosseum has reached practical completion, with the historic venue now officially handed over to operator AEG Presents UK. Led by Watford Borough Council and delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction's Northern Home Counties division, the major upgra

03/07/2025

Sigma Capital Acquires Four New Sites In £100m ...

Sigma Capital Group has announced the acquisition of four new development sites worth around £100 million in gross development cost (GDC), continuing its strategic partnership with Vistry Group. The projects will deliver 415 new single-family rental homes across England, further cementing Sigma's

03/07/2025

£215,000 Upgrade To Spalding's Winsover Road Le...

A major £215,000 upgrade to the Winsover Road level crossing in Spalding is set to begin this Saturday night, 5 July, aimed at improving rail reliability and ensuring safety for motorists, pedestrians and rail users. The essential works will see a full replacement of the life-expired crossing surfa

03/07/2025

Former Cardiff Bay Office Block Transformed Int...

A former office building in Cardiff Bay has been given a new lease of life, with 33 high-quality council apartments now handed over to Cardiff Council as part of a wider redevelopment to deliver 78 new homes. The Scott Harbour building, once a commercial office block, is undergoing a major conversi

03/07/2025

Loop Launches UK's First Monetised Social Value...

Social value specialist Loop has launched the UK's first monetised social value metrics tool tailored specifically for the housing sector, offering developers a new, data-driven approach to strengthen planning applications, engage communities and showcase real-world benefits. Developed in partnersh

02/07/2025

Work Begins On New Whitefield Community Fire St...

Construction is officially underway on the new Whitefield Community Fire Station, part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) £38 million Estates Improvement Programme. Led by Robertson Construction North West, the project will replace the former fire station on Bury New Road with

02/07/2025

Major Repairs Begin On Hull's Drypool Bridge

Hull City Council has officially appointed Esh Construction to lead a major repair and strengthening programme on Drypool Bridge, one of the city's key transport links. The project will be delivered in partnership with engineering consultancy Mason Clark Associates. Work will begin on the south s