Building firm fined following unsafe practices
Date published:
Following an investigation by The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), McGrath Building & Joinery Contracts Ltd have been fined in connection with the refurbishment works at Sacred Heart Chapel, Boho, Co. Fermanagh in November 2023.
At Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court today, the company pled guilty to a single health and safety offence.
The HSENI investigation found that McGrath Building & Joinery Contracts Ltd, , 2 Mullylusty Road, Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh, as the Principal Contractor, failed to adequately plan, manage, and monitor the works relating to health and safety during the refurbishment works at Sacred Heart Chapel, Boho. In particular, the company failed to adequately identify and ensure the safe removal of licensed asbestos material.
The Fraud & Departmental Section of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland worked closely with HSENI to build a robust prosecution case.
HSENI Construction Inspector Caoimhe O’Neill said: “Principal Contractors have a duty to plan, manage and monitor the construction phase and coordinate matters relating to health and safety to ensure that, so far as reasonably practicable, construction work is carried out without risk to health or safety.
“When using subcontractors, Principal Contractors need to engage with competent contractors for the work task. Principal Contractors have a responsibility to ensure that subcontractors have developed a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) and that they are managing and monitoring subcontractors throughout the construction phase.”
McGrath Building & Joinery Contracts Ltd was fined £500 for breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016.
Further information on the legal duties of Principal Contractors and the requirements of working with asbestos containing materials can be found on HSENI’s website - Construction | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together and Asbestos | Health and Safety Executive
HSENI is running a Workplace Health Campaign to highlight the dangers of health hazards in the workplace. Further information on this can also be found on HSENI’s website - Workplace Health | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together
Notes to editors :
Breaches and fines for McGrath Building & Joinery Contracts Limited are as follows:
Regulation 13 (1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016.The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland – fined £500.
HSENI is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE).
HSENI’s Workplace Health Campaign for 2025/26 Workplace Health | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together pays focus to:
HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis for Northern Ireland 2025 publication can be found at: HSENI Workplace Health Statistics and Analysis booklet.
For media enquiries please contact HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or email media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.