Health and safety ‘breach’ at Hereford timber firm

A Herefordshire traditional building firm has been rapped over health and safety for the third time in three years.

T J Crump Oakwrights, which builds traditional buildings from timber it mills itself, was served an Improvement Notice by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on November 11.

This stated that the firm had “failed to appoint one or more competent persons to assist in undertaking the measures they need to take to comply with the legal requirements imposed upon them by the relevant statutory provisions”.

It was given until March 17 to comply.

A HSE spokesperson said: “An investigation into the company is ongoing following an incident at its premises in June 2025.

“Following that incident, a general inspection of the premises was also carried out that resulted in an improvement notice being served.”

They added: “We will not hesitate to take action when health and safety breaches are identified.”

In July 2023, the firm, based at Swainshill west of Hereford, was told it had failed to ensure that workers had been given adequate health and safety instruction on the use of an industrial joinery machine.

It had also failed to ensure that workers exposed to wood dust were under suitable health surveillance, the notice said.
Then in January 2024, the firm was told it had failed to either prevent or adequately control workers’ exposure to Isofloc, an insulation material which contains the toxin boric acid.

Both Improvement Notices were complied with shortly after.

Oakwrights managing director Charlie Mills confirmed the HSE had advised during its most recent visit “that we should appoint a dedicated competent person to support compliance with relevant health and safety legislation”.

“Following the inspection, we have appointed a dedicated individual to oversee health and safety across the business, and will continue to work constructively with the HSE to ensure the highest standards for our staff and workplace,” he said in a statement.

He added: “We take all HSE visits seriously and welcome opportunities to strengthen our approach to health and safety.”