Building regulations: 341 inspections but no fines

A total of 341 inspections were carried out on different construction sites in the first six months of the year, but none of these inspections resulted in any court citation or fines against those involved.

The building regulations specify clear guidelines on the upkeep of construction sites through the installation of hoarding, and are aimed at limiting environmental degradation through appropriate construction management practices that cause the least nuisance to neighbours. 

The Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs is responsible for the enforcement of these regulations.

Replying to a question by Labour MP Charles Buhagiar, Minister George Pullicino confirmed that none of the inspections carried out resulted in anyone being fined.

According to the minister, in 157 inspections no follow-up was even needed, indicating that "if there was a problem it had been addressed immediately", Pullicino said.

Moreover, in none of the cases was it deemed necessary to take "ulterior steps".

While not excluding legal action being taken against abusers who deliberately flaunt the laws, the minister insisted that "it is also important to educate operators in observing the regulations".

Any person who contravenes any of the provisions contained in the law is liable, on conviction to a fine of not less than €233 and not more than €11,650.

Should the offender fail to comply with these regulations upon being issued with a citation, he will become liable to a daily fine of €58 and not more than €117.

The regulations specify that screed sand and other loose building materials should be transported, deposited and stored on-site in rigid containers and that no building material, waste, machinery or plant is allowed to obstruct the pavement or the smooth flow of traffic in the vicinity of the site on which works are in progress or complete.

Developers also have to control rodents within the site perimeter and storage locations.

For any building not exceeding two floors and a semi-basement in height from road level, developers have to erect hoarding, made of suitable rigid material which has to be free-standing and independent of the building itself up to a height of three metres.

Such hoarding has to be designed in a manner that conceals the site and protects adjacent areas from the egress of dust and from falling materials from within the site.

For any building that is to be constructed over three floors in height from road level, it is mandatory to erect hoarding, made of suitable rigid material up to the full height of the building.

Such hoarding must entirely conceal the site and protect adjacent areas from dust and from falling debris from the site.

For buildings higher than eight floors, as an alternative to hoarding to full height, the hoarding is to be provided up to the eighth floor.

Hoarded structures will be constructed in timber or metal frame and are to be covered with suitable mesh or material that precludes any visual impact of the internal on-goings within the site.

The law stipulates that "all streets or other public property, within a distance of 10 metres from the site, that are damaged by operations relating to construction works, shall be repaired or replaced by the owner to a condition that is at least as good as that found prior to construction."