East Sussex firm ID8 Design and Build Ltd was in charge of the site on where the company was carrying out a full refurbishment of a two-storey flat into a converted house, including the erection of front and rear dormers.

An HSE inspection of the site on 29 November 2021 found the welfare facilities did not comply with the minimum requirements.

The toilet provided was not flushable and was in a room without a door or window coverings. There was no sink, no hot water, no soap and no towels – cold water only was available from a pipe in the room next to the toilet.  No rest area had  been set up by the company either.

ID8 Design and Build Ltd was then issued with an Improvement Notice by HSE but a second inspection two months later found no sufficient improvements had been made.

ID8 Design and Build Ltd of Hove, East Sussex pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £1334 and ordered to pay costs of £1748 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

ID8 Design and Build Ltd director Adeel Bhatti, of Hove, East Sussex also pleaded guilty and was fined £416 and ordered to pay costs of £1622.07.

HSE inspector Emma Bitz said: “Providing suitable and sufficient toilets is an absolute duty and there is no exception to them being provided or made available. The reality is that many of the smaller sites we inspect don’t have basic facilities at all.

“Inspectors will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against employers who fail to comply with an Improvement Notice.  Welfare is a fundamental and basic necessity for workers. It is also required by law.”