A building owner and contractor have been prosecuted for dangerous demolition work in Kent.
Panther AL (VAT) Limited, of Deneway House, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. It was fined £160,000 with more than £9,128 in costs.
Martin Elmes, of Barnacres Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 25(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years.
Canterbury Crown Court heard that Martin Elmes was contracted to demolish a building owned by Panther AL (VAT) at the High Street, Ramsgate
However during the work, the building collapsed uncontrollably on 06 November 2013.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Mr Elmes had failed to properly plan the work and then carried out unsafe demolition work.
In addition, Panther AL (VAT) did not make any enquiries into the suitability or competence of Martin Elmes to undertake the demolition. Neither PALL nor Martin Elmes applied for a road closure and members of the public were put at risk.
HSE inspector Andrew Cousins said: "Lives were put at risk when this structure uncontrollably collapsed. Clients have a responsibility to appoint competent contractors to undertake hazardous work such as demolition.
"Those in control of demolition have a responsibility to plan demolition work and to devise a safe way of working that protects both the workers and members of the public.
"The job could have been safely carried out by simply undertaking the demolition behind a substantial hoarding."
(LM)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
08/06/2017
Building Owner And Contractor Prosecuted For Dangerous Demolition Work
Latest Construction News
07/05/2024
Construction work has commenced at Cordia UK's latest project and inaugural build-to-rent (BTR) development, The Lampworks. The Birmingham-based property developer has appointed Shropshire-based construction management practice buildfifty5 to deliver the main construction works for the project in ...
07/05/2024
Wates has held a 'topping out' ceremony with Riverstone to mark the structural completion of a later living residence, Riverstone Bishops Avenue. The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Barnet, the Barnet Education and Learning Service, Barnet & Southgate College and also BOOST, who work with ...
07/05/2024
Building work has started on a new skills centre that will help City College Norwich train more young people for careers in the construction industry. The ground has been broken at the college's Ipswich Road campus where the £4.4m building is being constructed by MJS Projects. Funding for the new ...
07/05/2024
National Grid's Viking Link has been awarded a prestigious title by the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™. The UK's newest electricity interconnector, which stretches for 757km to join rural Lincolnshire with Revsing in Denmark, has been named as the longest land and subsea HVDC interconnector. Members of ...
07/05/2024
Network Rail is encouraging residents in New Mills to attend an information drop-in event about urgent railway work on Thursday 9 May. Following recent emergency ground investigations, engineers have confirmed that work is required immediately to repair damage to the earth that supports the ...
07/05/2024
Ascent Homes has announced plans to double its turnover to £80 million and further increase its workforce. Having recently grown from 40 to now 70 employees it now has ambitions to take this to over 100 employees within the next year. To hit its targets, Ascent Homes will add four new sites ...
07/05/2024
Vinyl flooring has become an essential choice for children's rooms, living rooms, and hallways. Whether in your own home or a rental apartment, ...
07/05/2024
Family-run flooring experts Woodpecker Flooring are celebrating the craftsmanship that goes into their hand-finished boards with a specially curated collection. The Artisan Interiors collection showcases the handcrafted flooring created by Woodpecker’s experienced craftspeople. The three-strong ...
07/05/2024
Eclectic interiors brand Where Saints Go has launched a new seating collection inspired by timeless Scandi style. The Scandi Edit brings together five statement seats, typified by sleek lines and wooden finishes. Each seat has been handpicked for its versatility, ensuring they not only complement ...
07/05/2024
Robertson Construction Northern has appointed a new Managing Director. Ian Phillips has become the new managing director of Robertson Construction Northern. Following the retirement of Frank Reid after 43 years of service, Ian Phillips has become the Regional Managing Director of Robertson ...