Building companies plead guilty to unsafe demolition

Sunday 04 July 2021

A local building contractor and a company specialising in demolition and groundworks have admitted failing to ensure the electricity had been disconnected before a Bath Street building was demolished.

Camerons Limited and DB Cummins Limited have each admitted a breach of the Health and Safety Law.

Both companies appeared in Royal Court on Friday represented by Advocate William Grace and Advocate Adam Harrison respectively. 

The summons read out before the Court note the breach took place on 29 July 2020 at 82 Bath Street, which is due to make way for a £70m development including accommodation and a new Premier Inn.

Camerons' summons stated that they breached the law in their capacity as contractor by failing to ensure that the electrical supply had been disconnected or isolated during the demolition of a building.

Pictured: The potential £70million investment aims to breathe new life into two acres of land in the North of town that have fallen into disrepair.

“In failing to take those steps, you placed persons in danger who were required to work in close proximity to the electrical service whilst demolishing the building and members of the public passing by the site,” the summons add. “This placed such persons in danger of electric shock, burns or electrocution.” 

The summons for DB Cummins says that they failed in their duties as employer to ensure their employees’ health and safety “as far as was reasonably practicable”.

The document notes the demolition specialist failed to obtain a proof that the electric service had been disconnected, putting two employees at risk. 

Both companies will be sentenced for the breach in Royal Court on 20 August.