Sheffield firm with poor welfare facilities sentenced

The pictures have been released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the workplace regulator prosecuted Brightside Motors Ltd for failing to comply with its enforcement action.

HSE inspector Kirstie Durrans said the firm failed to fulfil a basic requirement and provide clean and suitable welfare facilities for its staff.

Following an inspection of its site on Holywell Road, HSE served Brightside Motors Ltd with Improvement Notices that required the firm to provide suitable toilets and washing facilities for its workers.

The inspection, which took place in June 2021, found welfare facilities at the site were in a poor state. This included the failure to provide suitable sanitary conveniences and adequate washing facilities. There was no supply of clean, hot and cold water, no soap nor any toilet paper. A letter was then sent by HSE to the company outlining its health and safety breaches.

In December 2021, HSE inspected the site again and found the company had taken no action to address the issues with its welfare facilities. HSE then served the company with two Improvement Notices, legally requiring the company to provide suitable toilets and washing facilities, including hot and cold running water for its staff.

The company failed to take appropriate action to comply with these notices. Despite being given additional time by HSE, the company failed to meet the deadline in January 2023.

HSE guidance can be found at: Welfare at work – Guidance for employers on welfare provisions (hse.gov.uk). This highlights how toilet and washing facilities should be clean, with hot and cold running water and complete with soap.

Brightside Motors Ltd, of Holywell Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £3,293 in costs at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 24 January 2024.

HSE inspector Kirstie Durrans said: “The provision of suitable, clean welfare facilities is a basic requirement that this company has failed to meet. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fail to comply with the requirements of enforcement notices.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Crockett and supported by HSE paralegal officer Gabrielle O’Sullivan.