Residents put at risk during removal of cladding
A health and safety inspector has found cladding on residents’ balconies at a Liverpool apartment block, posing a serious fire risk. The combustible cladding was similar to that used on Grenfell Tower when the 2017 disaster occurred. Green Facades Limited had been contracted to remove the potentially dangerous aluminium composite panels and combustible insulation material from The Circle, an eight-storey building on Henry Street in Liverpool.
When an inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) first visited the site on 10 January 2022, the inspection revealed that, in preparation for the removal work, combustible material had been left exposed and there were inadequate means of escaping from the scaffold being erected.
The situation had worsened when the inspector returned a few days later, on 21 January 2022. Further combustible material had been exposed with no protection from potential sources of ignition, and combustible cladding material was found lying on residents’ balconies. As the building remained occupied during the works, the inspector alerted Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who took their own enforcement action.
Green Facades Limited had been subject to earlier enforcement for similar breaches during cladding removal at a site in London. At that time the company was provided with advice on sustainable compliance with the regulations.
An investigation by the HSE found that Green Facades Limited had failed to take appropriate precautions to address the risk of fire and to ensure the safety of residents, workers and others. It had also failed to take account of published guidance on the safe removal of cladding following the previous issue in London.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching regulations 11(1) and 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. At Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, the company was fined £240,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,405.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Jackie Western said:
“The disturbing irony of this case is that work to protect residents from fire risk ended up making the situation more dangerous. This prosecution highlights the need for responsible management of the removal of cladding. The potentially tragic consequences of fire involving this type of material are well known following the Grenfell Tower fire. Despite earlier interventions and advice from the HSE, and the availability of a wealth of guidance from the HSE and others, this company continued to fail in its duty to address the risk of fire, putting people’s lives at risk.”
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