Construction Firm Fined Over Welfare Failures

Written By Carly Hughes

Construction company fined for repeated site failures.

What happened?

  • A construction company, Ling Developments Limited, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

  • The investigation followed a 2024 site inspection in Telford.

  • Inspectors found no clean hot or cold running water available in toilet facilities.

  • There was a lack of proper rest facilities for workers on site.

  • The rest areas that did exist were unsuitable and below acceptable standards.

  • Despite being given advice and enforcement action, the company repeatedly failed to improve conditions.

  • The HSE concluded the company did not meet minimum welfare standards required for construction workers. 

What was the result?

  • ·       As a result, Ling Developments Limited was fined for breaching health and safety regulations

    ·       The inspection led to two improvement notices, requiring the company to comply with legal standards.

    ·       The company had previously breached the same regulations on three occasions.

    ·       An HSE investigation confirmed ongoing non-compliance despite prior enforcement action and guidance.

    ·       Ling Developments Limited, based in Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(4)(c) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

    ·       At Birmingham Magistrates Court on 13 April 2026, the company was fined £15,858 and ordered to pay £3,858 in costs.

Lessons Learned

  • Employers must provide adequate welfare facilities on site, including access to clean hot and cold running water, toilets, and suitable rest areas from the start of any project.

  • Welfare provisions must be maintained to an acceptable standard, ensuring they remain clean, functional, and appropriate for the number of workers on site.

  • Employers must act promptly on enforcement notices and guidance, ensuring that any identified shortcomings are rectified and do not reoccur across multiple sites.

Further Information

Under The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Principal Contractors have a duty to provide specific welfare facilities for construction sites.

 Further guidance on workplace welfare is available from the HSE: Welfare - Overview

 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees (such as toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, rest areas, and changing facilities) - further details can be found here. https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/workplace-facilities/index.htm

 The Approved Code of Practice for ‘Workplace health, safety and welfare’, L24 provides additional information on how to comply with The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Carly Hughes
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