A sole trader acting as a principal contractor has been fined for failing to plan, manage and monitor construction work being carried out under his control, in spite of warnings and notices from a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard on 3 March how Rytis Tamasaukas was in charge of extensive refurbishment works to extend a detached property in Chigwell, Essex.

The HSE carried out six site inspections between 1 May and 28 November 2018. Tamasaukas was served with three prohibition notices for breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and another regarding the instability of roof trusses. He was also served three notices for the control of wood dust, access & egress, and competent supervision,

Following a revisit to the site by HSE inspector David King it was discovered that Tamasaukas had continued in his failure to plan, manage and monitor the construction work being carried out under his control. He had also failed to comply with the prohibition notice for work at height and the improvement notice which referred to the training of a competent site manager.

Tamasaukas, now resident in Romford, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 and two counts of breaching Section 33(1)(g) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

He was ordered to serve a community order involving 280 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and pay costs of £5,000.

Speaking after the hearing, David King said: “This case highlights the need for suitable and sufficient planning, managing and monitoring, using the appropriate work at height equipment and having a competent site manager. Duty holders should be aware that HSE will hold to account those who do not comply with health & safety legislation, or who do not comply with enforcement notices served on them.”

Someone who has learnt new heritage craft skills is in line for a £500 prize, a free place at the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) Aberdeen 2022 Annual School in June, and a certificate to hang on the wall recording their winning of a Marsh Award. 

That’s the prize in the IHBC Marsh Award for Successful Learning in Heritage Skills, which rewards significant learning in traditional building activities and craft skills.

But you have to get nominations in by the end of this month (31 March).

The Marsh Awards support the IHBC’s work of helping to keep essential conservation skills and knowledge alive through training, teaching, shared experience and example.

The IHBC's support for these awards is underpinned by its charitable fund, the Creative Conservation Fund.

The Marsh Awards are the brainchild of Brian Marsh OBE, who established and chairs the Marsh Charitable Trust.

Who can be Nominated?

The IHBC Marsh Award for Successful Learning in Heritage Skills is open to anyone who has acquired new skills related to the appropriate care, maintenance or improvement of buildings and their context.

Anyone may nominate an individual for the award.

Entries will be judged by a panel consisting of representatives from the Marsh Charitable Trust and the IHBC, although the final decision lies with the Marsh Charitable Trust, ensuring independence and giving real value to the winners in terms of the recognition earned.

To nominate someone, you should Download the entry form HERE, fill it in and return it to: marshawards@ihbc.org.uk; or post it to: Marsh Awards, IHBC, Jubilee House, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6HA.

If you would like further guidance on a nomination, send an email to marshawards@ihbc.org.uk, or see the website at the address below.

James Preston, Director at Sally Strachey Historic Conservation, has been up on to the top of the spire at St Thomas' Church, Wells, to make it safe after the top, with its weathervane, was blown down in storm Eunice in February. 

You can watch a video of it toppling here.

In a Post on LinkedIn James says there was a precarious stone left on top that was threatening to damage the nave roof.

Without the top, the spire was left open, but has been made weathertight until it can be repaired.

James notes the spire did not have a redundant cross tree, so was rebuilt like for like in 1996.

More pictures on James Preston's Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prestonjames01/