BT fined thousands over unsafe work

BT said the work was carried out by sub-contractors

BT has been fined £11,500 for breaching safety regulations.

The company was prosecuted by Shropshire Council over work carried out by sub-contractors on Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury on 22 June 2022.

BT pleaded guilty to a series of offences at Telford Magistrates Court and was also ordered to pay costs of £6,194.19, and a victim surcharge of £2,000.

A spokesperson said: "We’re really disappointed that the high standards we expect weren’t met by our partners."

The local authority said it took action after discovering the sub-contractors did not have the appropriate permits and had breached the safety regulations.

It said they did not give notice of the work starting, failed to put up adequate signs and guards, and did not put up a site information board.

The council also said they failed to make the site safe when instructed and did not notify the council of work being completed in the timescale required.

Following the case Openreach, which is wholly owned by BT, said health and safety was its "number one priority" and that its own staff were "trained to a very high standard".

It said its partners did not meet those standards and added: "In any situation like this, we review what went wrong and look to learn lessons – including providing additional training and support where that’s needed.”