A Cheshire-based builder has been fined for health breaches and lack of welfare facilities on a building site.

Phillip Affleck, of Legh Street, Golborne pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 22 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 7 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. He was fined £4,000 with costs of £2,495.

Trafford Magistrates' Court heard that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a complaint from a member of the public in May 2014 about the conditions on the site in Culcheth.

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Work was being carried out to convert a disused NHS premises.

An investigation by the HSE found access to the site was restricted, while there was a lack of both health and safety provisions as well as welfare facilities.

It was also discovered workers had been entering the site via ladders and planks.

Work was stopped while Mr Affleck arranged for scaffolding to be erected to make access to the building safe.

HSE found dust from sandblasting activities was affecting other workers on the site and inadequate protection had been provided.

Workers were unable to wash their hands to remove contamination after carrying out tasks such as groundworks and bricklaying.

An Improvement Notice requiring the provision of sanitary, washing and rest facilities was issued.

HSE Inspector Deborah Walker said: "It is hoped that this case serves as a lesson to all Principal Contractors that they must provide suitable toilets, washing facilities which include hot and cold running water and suitable, sheltered rest facilities for all workers engaged on their sites."

(LM/CD)