Persimmon Homes calls on review of fireplace installation policies
Persimmon Homes has called on the Health and Safety Executive to review fireplace installation standards after the tragedy.
After the verdict today, a Persimmon spokesman said the company extended its deepest sympathies to the Green family for their tragic loss.
He said they agreed with the jury that the lack of any national industry standards and regulations had contributed to the accident.
The spokesman said: "It is group-wide policy to obtain appropriate health and safety assessments for all our sub-contractors and we expect that, as experts in their field, they carry out their duties in accordance with current regulations and industry standards.
"Sadly there have never been any such regulations or industry standards in relation to fireplace installation."
He said they believed they had appointed a competent sub-contractor and, if KD Childs had applied sufficient mortar, then "the accident would probably not have happened".
The spokesman said they would also encourage the HSE to review fireplace installation standards and policies across the new homes industry but also to cover renovations.
The inquest heard evidence from a worker at KD Childs, who said he had no formal training when he started at the company.
Christian Childs said the firm operated a "sort of living, breathing training".
The inquest heard that the lintel at the Greens' home had been attached using only several blobs of mortar.
Stone expert John Bysouth said there had been "insufficient bedding mortar" and there were no statutory regulations in the fitting of fireplaces.
The inquest heard that it was believed Matthew may have swung or held on to the mantelpiece, causing it to fall off, but his parents said they had never seen him do it before.
Health and Safety Executive investigator James Grieve also said there was a "distinct lack of mortar" on the fireplace.
He told the inquest: "If there had been a full bed of mortar applied in the case of 10 Coulthard Close, we would not be here today.
"If there had been a full bed of mortar then it is unlikely to have fallen."
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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