Will the Minister outline what Welsh Government specifications currently exist for the installation and manufacturing of netting that is used on rooftops in Wales?
‘There is no specific Welsh Government guidance on netting but building safety regarding loose slates on roofs/dilapidation and the protection of wildlife are important concerns, particularly in the case of empty homes left idle by owners.
Where a property is abandoned it will need to be investigated by the local authority environmental health department. If there is ongoing construction the contractor will have to comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which covers netting, and any breach investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. The protection of birds, etc, is covered under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and any concerns can be raised with Natural Resources Wales or the local authority.
Additional considerations are the Building Act 1984. If a building/property/structure is considered to be in such a condition as to be dangerous, action can be taken by the local authority under sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984. A local authority can require the owner to carry out remedial work or if there is an imminent risk, it can take immediate steps to remove the risk.
There are also powers to deal with ruinous or dilapidated properties under section 79 of the Building Act 1984, which requires works to renovate or if the owner elects to demolish the property, can prosecute or do works in default.
Under the Occupier Liability Act 1957, an occupier of premises owes a common duty of care to all their visitors, except in so far as they are free to and does extend, restrict, modify or exclude their duty to any visitor or visitors by agreement or otherwise. The common duty of care is a duty to take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which they are invited or permitted by the occupier.