Hinkley Point C Safety Prosecution: Court Date Set After Serious Scaffolding Injury

The construction industry, while vital to infrastructure and economic growth, carries inherent risks. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that construction consistently ranks among the most hazardous sectors, with a high incidence of workplace injuries and fatalities. Falls from height, being struck by moving objects, and incidents involving machinery are, sadly, too common. These incidents not only cause immense personal suffering but also carry significant economic consequences, costing the UK construction sector over £1 billion annually.

Against this backdrop, the Hinkley Point C project, a massive undertaking to build a new nuclear power station in Somerset, has faced scrutiny regarding its safety record. Recent events have brought these concerns into sharp focus, highlighting the critical importance of robust safety measures and rigorous enforcement.

The Incident: A Rebar Mesh Wall Collapse

In August 2022, a serious incident occurred at the Hinkley Point C construction site. An employee was severely injured when a wall of rebar mesh fell on him while he was working to remove it from a vertical jig. Rebar, or reinforcing bar, is commonly used in construction to strengthen concrete structures. Handling these heavy materials always poses a risk, and proper planning and execution are essential to prevent accidents.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, launched an investigation into the incident. Their findings led to the decision to prosecute two major contractors involved in the project: Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS and Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited. These companies, operating as the BYLOR JV, are responsible for the main civil engineering works at Hinkley Point C.

The Charges: Breaching Health and Safety Laws

Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS and Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited each face a single charge of failing to plan, manage, and monitor construction work without risks to health and safety, contravening Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This legislation places a clear duty on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and anyone else who may be affected by their work activities.

The ONR alleges that the contractors failed to implement adequate safety measures, leading to the unsafe working conditions that resulted in the worker’s injury. The charges underscore the importance of proactive risk management, thorough planning, and continuous monitoring on construction sites.

Court Date Set: Justice and Accountability

The first hearing in this prosecution is scheduled for December 15, 2025, at Bristol Magistrates Court. This hearing marks a significant step towards accountability and justice for the injured worker. The legal proceedings will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, assess the contractors’ safety protocols, and determine whether they met the required legal standards.

The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the construction industry, potentially leading to stricter enforcement of safety regulations and a renewed focus on worker protection. It also serves as a reminder that safety must always be the top priority, even on large-scale, complex projects like Hinkley Point C.

Hinkley Point C: A Project Under Scrutiny

The Hinkley Point C project has faced numerous challenges and controversies since its inception. Concerns about rising costs, delays, and environmental impacts have plagued the project. Safety concerns have also been a recurring theme.

In addition to the rebar mesh incident, there have been other safety-related incidents at the site, including a fatality in November 2022 when a site supervisor was crushed by moving machinery. This incident led to separate prosecutions against NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd, Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS, and Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited. In May 2025, an improvement notice was served to NNB Generation Company (NNB GenCo) regarding the safety of a damaged tower crane. The crane was found to have evidence of cracking in one of the mast sections, and a pin connecting two mast sections had failed.

These incidents raise questions about the overall safety culture at Hinkley Point C and the effectiveness of the measures in place to protect workers. It is crucial that lessons are learned from these incidents and that steps are taken to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.

Scaffolding Safety: A Critical Focus

Given the serious scaffolding injury, it’s important to understand scaffolding safety requirements in the UK. Falls from height are a leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry, and scaffolding is often involved in these incidents.

Several regulations and guidelines govern scaffolding safety in the UK, including:

The Work at Height Regulations 2005: These regulations place a duty on employers to prevent falls from height and ensure that work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out safely.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015: These regulations outline the responsibilities of various parties involved in construction projects, including clients, designers, and contractors, with regard to health and safety.
BS EN 12810 and BS EN 12811: These British Standards specify the requirements for facade scaffolds made of prefabricated components and temporary works equipment, respectively.
NASC Guidance: The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) provides comprehensive guidance on scaffolding safety, including TG20:21 (A Comprehensive Guide to Good Practice for Tube and Fitting Scaffolding) and SG4:22 (Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations).

These regulations and guidelines cover various aspects of scaffolding safety, including:

Proper erection and dismantling: Scaffolding must be erected and dismantled by competent persons following established procedures.
Regular inspections: Scaffolding must be regularly inspected to ensure that it is safe and in good condition.
Fall protection: Workers must be provided with adequate fall protection measures, such as guardrails, safety nets, and harnesses.
Safe access and egress: Scaffolding must provide safe access and egress for workers.
Load capacity: Scaffolding must be able to support the intended loads.

Advice: Prioritizing Safety on Construction Sites

Construction sites are inherently dangerous environments, but accidents are not inevitable. By prioritizing safety, implementing robust safety measures, and fostering a strong safety culture, construction companies can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities.

Here are some key steps that construction companies can take to improve safety on their sites:

Conduct thorough risk assessments: Identify potential hazards and assess the risks associated with each task.
Develop safe work procedures: Establish clear and concise procedures for carrying out all tasks safely.
Provide adequate training: Ensure that all workers are properly trained and competent to perform their jobs safely.
Enforce safety rules: Consistently enforce safety rules and take disciplinary action against those who violate them.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): Ensure that workers have and use the necessary PPE, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves.
Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment to ensure that it is in safe working condition.
Promote a safety culture: Foster a culture where safety is valued and everyone is encouraged to report hazards and concerns.
Learn from accidents: Thoroughly investigate all accidents and incidents to identify the root causes and implement corrective actions.

Conclusion

The Hinkley Point C safety prosecution serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in the construction industry. Construction companies must prioritize safety above all else, implementing robust safety measures and fostering a strong safety culture. By doing so, they can protect their workers from harm and prevent tragedies like the rebar mesh wall collapse from happening in the future.