Wates overhauls safety

Wates is to implement six new safety measures that it believes will ensure there is no repeat of the £4,000 fine it received last week for lapses on a Kent site.

The company was one of nine fined a total of £25,000 at City of London Magistrates' Court following a Health & Safety Executive blitz across London in the spring (CJ 15 May).

Its demolition contractor, McKenna Demolition, was also fined £1,250 for the redevelopment work it was carrying out at the Lloyds Bank Sports Ground in Beckenham.

Wates chief executive Struan Robertson said: "Site safety is of huge concern. This news shows that we must work even harder to ensure that this is uppermost in our employees' and subcontractors' minds."

Wates' new measures include: producing a checklist to enable management to review adequacy of the pre-tender health and safety plan; all method statements for demolition work to be agreed and signed off by its safety, health and environmental team; and national agreements with a limited demolition supply chain to get better service and quality output. It also plans to organise specific demolition safety courses.

The other seven companies fined were: Tru Construction (£12,500); Kier London (£3,500); HG Construction (£2,800); Charles R McInnes (£1,350); St George Scaffolding and Cradles (£1,250); Prendy Scaffolding (£900); and Mitie Property Services (£500).