A company has been prosecuted for safety breaches at a construction site in Berkshire.

Portico Design and Developments Limited of Wellington Avenue, Surrey pleaded guilty/found guilty of breaching Regulation 19(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It has been fined £18,000 with £16,674 in costs.

The company had been appointed as principal contractor to carry out works at a domestic property in Sunningdale, Ascot.


Reading Magistrates' Court heard how inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out a proactive inspection at the site as part of a construction focused inspection initiative.

During the inspection, it was found Portico had poor safety standards on site. The contractor filed toproperly manage the temporary work on site and that it was at risk of collapse. A number of walls had been demolished and the remaining walls were held up with acro props.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Wycherley said: "Portico failed to properly manage this project and allowed work to continue on site when it was unsafe to do so.

"This case is a perfect example that HSE can and will bring those to justice who fall below the required standard of health and safety practices."

(LM/MH)