Lessons In Health & Safety From The Pontins Ceiling Collapse: Fostering a Culture of Prevention

Has the progression of Risk significantly fallen behind the advancements seen in engineering and technical fields?

Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, the parent company of Pontins, has been formally charged with corporate manslaughter following an incident where an air conditioning duct fell on guests at one of its resorts. Additionally, a contractor based in Lancashire has also been prosecuted as part of the investigation. This incident resulted in the injury of eighteen individuals and one fatality due to the collapse of a 40-meter section of the structural ceiling in the bingo hall.

The Health and Safety at Work Act allows for the prosecution of individuals if it can be demonstrated that they have failed to fulfil their health and safety responsibilities with reasonable care. The maximum penalty for such offences is an unlimited fine or imprisonment for up to two years. The defendants in this matter are scheduled to appear at Magistrates’ Court in May, 2025.

The Appointment of Suitable Contractors

It is essential for organisations to recognise their responsibilities in selecting a competent designer and contractor when engaging in any construction project.

Clients play a pivotal role in the execution of projects, particularly in terms of managing H&S risks. Regardless of the project’s scale, ‘The Duty Holder’ holds contractual authority and is responsible for determining the budget, timeline, and other resources allocated to the project.

Client Due Diligence

• Selection: evaluate contractors for H&S performance.
• Pre-qualification: necessary experience, capability and financial viability to undertake activities.
• Sub-contractors: responsibility of contractor to ensure they meet all requirements.
• Monitoring: inspection schedule, check appropriate work being undertaken.
• Completion:  appraisal of performance: management & consultation on H&S issues, incident investigations, emergency preparations, management of documents & records.

Understand where you are and establish where you want to be to achieve the desired culture

Encourage a pro-active approach to minimising workplace risks. A robust safety culture goes beyond mere compliance with regulations; it necessitates a commitment to exceed expectations.

• Identify potential hazards and implement effective measures to mitigate them.
• Cultivate a workplace culture that encourages individuals to report safety concerns without hesitation.
• Offer regular training sessions to reinforce and update safety protocols.
• Acknowledge the importance of workplace well-being, encompassing both mental and physical health.

Summary

Please take a moment to reflect on your own workplace. Consider potential areas for improvement and identify how you can actively contribute to fostering a culture where health and safety are collective responsibilities. By working together, we can create environments that ensure every employee returns safely at the end of each day.

To read more on this story, visit the BBC’s article at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2xkdmjyx0o

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