A Culture of Risk: How Poor Safety Management Cost One Firm Thousands

Construction sites are among the most hazardous working environments in the UK, where the margin for error can be devastating. The recent case of Nofax Enterprises Limited, prosecuted following a series of severe health and safety breaches at a Dalston building site, highlights just how critical proactive management is, and what can go wrong without it.

What Happened?

Scaffolding at the Dalston site (Image: HSE)

Over a 13-month period between 2020 and 2021, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out four inspections at a construction site managed by Nofax Enterprises. The project involved building a four-storey block with nine flats and a youth club in the basement. What they found was deeply concerning:

• Unsafe working at height practices

• Inadequate fire safety precautions

• Workers exposed to significant levels of silica and wood dust

• Poor welfare provisions

• Insufficient Covid-19 control measures

The failings were so serious that the HSE shut the site down twice. Nine enforcement notices, including five prohibition notices, were served. Further inspections at other Nofax sites revealed the issues were not isolated—they reflected a systemic breakdown in health and safety management.

The result? A fine of £63,000, with additional costs of £25,622, and a damning assessment by the judge and HSE, pointing to a complete disregard for worker safety.

Lessons for the Industry

This case sends a clear message: Health and safety cannot be an afterthought. Poor culture, inadequate risk controls, and neglect of basic legal duties not only endanger lives but also put businesses at serious financial and reputational risk.

How Base Solutions Can Help

At Base Solutions, we work with construction and property firms across the UK to develop robust, practical, legally compliant health, safety and environmental systems.

Here’s how we can support your organisation:

• Health & Safety Audits

  We identify gaps before the HSE does and provide comprehensive on-site audits to review safety systems, site conditions and legal compliance.

• Construction Phase Plans & RAMS

  From method statements to full Construction Phase Plans, we prepare clear, project-specific documentation that protects workers and satisfies regulators.

• Site Inspections and Monitoring

  Our consultants carry out regular, independent inspections to help you spot hazards, implement controls and maintain best practices throughout the project lifecycle.

• Dust Monitoring & COSHH Compliance

  We provide support in managing and mitigating dust exposure risks, including silica and wood dust, through tailored assessments, controls and training.

Conclusion

The Nofax Enterprises case is a sobering reminder of the consequences of poor health and safety management. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right systems, support and culture, compliance can become a core strength and not a vulnerability.

Let Base Solutions be your health and safety partner. Whether you're starting a new project or reviewing existing sites, we're here to help you keep your people safe and your business protected.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support your next project.