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News February 2003
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| Bill to increase fines jumps first hurdle. | A Bill proposing an increase in penalties under HASAWA 1974 and the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Ins) Act 1969 seems likely to proceed and become law. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):2 |
| HSE complaints compiled by CCA. | The Centre for Corporate Accountability has produced 10 years' of ombudsman's reports concerning the HSE. | Internet: www.corporateaccountability.org Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):3 |
| Don't duck duty on slips and trips – TUC. | Following the results of an earlier survey, employers are avoiding responsibility for carrying out RAs for slips or trips. | Internet: www.tuc.org.uk Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):4 |
| Five defendants in the dock over Nottingham gym explosion deaths. | Simons Construction fined £20,000 + £20,000 costs. N Cliffe t/a Nightingale Cleaning Services fined £5,000 and J Amos fined £2,500. Death of 2 employees of 2 industrial cleaning companies after an explosion. Call for changes in the law to ensure agency workers can be charged as employees. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):6 |
| Firm flouts Prohibition Notice. | Franklin Silencers fined £8,000. A Prohibition Notice was issued on an unguarded saw which was found to be still in use the following day. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):6 |
| Jewson fails to heed warnings on risks to staff and clients. | Jewson Ltd fined £32,500 + £3,856 costs. Injuries to 2 staff in separate incidents. Query on siting of an LPG compound. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):10 |
| Pillars of a safe society. | The main components and benefits of a programme of behaviour modification addressing the individual worker and the hazards. (T Marsh) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):22-24 |
| Women at work. | A customised and collaborative H&S policy is needed to ensure that the specific needs of all are covered. (D Hodgkinson) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):26-28 |
| If the systems are united. | The use of integrated management systems. (P Reeve) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):31-33 |
| Stress and strain. | How a comprehensive ergonomics programme for workplace physical and psychosocial risk factors can minimise work related musculoskeletal disorders and stress. (D Abbott) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):34-36 |
| Stemming the MSD tide. | The appropriate application of ergonomics to minimise musculoskeletal disorders. (B Pearce) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(1):38-40 |
| HSE publishes quarterly statement of nuclear incidents. | There was one incident in the period 1/7/02-30/9/02. | HSE Press Release E012:03 30/1/03 |
| Guidance to help employers investigate accidents at work. | Later in 2003 the HSE will issue new guidance to help employers investigate incidents that cause injuries and ill health at work. | HSC Press Release C002:03 31/1/03 |
| HSC welcomes construction industry initiative to improve safety and health performance. | To support the effort to reduce the high rate of accidents and improve occupational health, a series of S&H Awareness Days are being held around the country in Feb/March. | HSC Press Release C003:03 3/2/03 |
| Four major accidents at major hazard sites in 2000/01. | During 2000/01 there were 4 accidents at premises subject to the COMAH Regs 1999. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/hid HSE Press Release E011:03 3/2/03 |
| HSE launches new guidance on safe working in mortuaries, post-mortem facilities and clinical laboratories. | Two booklets providing advice on a wide range of activities, including RAs, cleaning and the disposal of waste. | 'Clinical labs' Isbn 0-7176-2513-3 £9.50 'Mortuary' Isbn 0-7176-2293-2 £7.50 HSE HSE Press Release E015:03 3/2/03 |
| Automatic train protection: HSC advice to Government. | The Government has accepted HSC's advice on developing and fitting ATP to the rail network. | HSC Press Release C004:03 5/2/03 |
| City of Bristol College | Fined £3,000 under IRR 1999. Radiation source went missing. Record keeping and training and instruction below required standard. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000643 (16/12/02) |
| Armitage Bros Plc | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst cleaning rollers. Guard not secured and safety device defective. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000382 (16/12/02) |
| George Falconer Bisset | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s37. Director knowingly allowed work to continue in contravention of a Prohibition Notice. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000545 (16/12/02) |
| Southern Demolition (Poole) Ltd | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Killed when crushed between 2 metal beams during lifting. No lifting plan nor equipment examination in previous 6 months. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000555 (17/12/02) |
| GT Demolition Ltd | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Killed when crushed between 2 metal beams during lifting. No lifting plan nor equipment examination in previous 6 months. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000574 (17/12/02) |
| Woolley GMC Engineering Co Ltd | Fined £25,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 & s3. Delivery driver killed by reversing FLT which was faulty. Poor management of site transport. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000398 (17/12/02) |
| E&W Threlfall | Fined £3,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999 / NWR 1989. 15 yr old trapper hit in the eye with a shotgun pellet whilst working at a clay pigeon shoot. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000361 (17/12/02) |
| Bechtel Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. Subcontractor's worker injured by steam released during purging. No permit to work. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000384 (18/12/02) |
| BSW Timber Plc | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using single feeder machine. Unguarded chain and sprocket drive. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000757 (18/12/02) |
| Bedcrest Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. 14 yr old son of visiting HGV driver injured when trapped under a conveyor outfeed. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000385 (18/12/02) |
| David Powell | Fined £1,000 under HFLLPGR 1972. Injured pouring waste thinners onto paper prior to burning in a container still warm from a fire earlier in the day. Ignited and exploded. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000369 (18/12/02) |
| Ochill Timber Products Ltd | Fined £250 under MHSWR 1999. Whilst playing with friends on stacks of roof trusses in an open storage area a 4 yr old injured when a stack fell over on him. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000505 (18/12/02) |
| Cumbria County Council | Fined £5,000 under CHSWR 1996 + £2,000 compensation. Injured after striking an 11kv cable whilst excavating a hole. No underground service plans or detection equipment. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000113 (18/12/02) |
| BASF Plc | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Died after being overcome by cyanide fumes working near an area where sampling of cyanide based process fluids was undertaken. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000260 (19/12/02) |
| Pritex Ltd | Fined £8,000 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured whilst operating a strip feed cutting machine. No RA, poor maintenance and training. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000624 (19/12/02) |
| Haden Drysys Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s6. Following the investigation of a death. Designed and supplied tanks for desludge systems. Inadequate guarding to prevent lids moving and people falling into, or off the tanks. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000373 (19/12/02) |
| The Sauce Co Ltd | Fined £7,500 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured when a vessel boiled over during cooking. Control system failure. No suitable and sufficient RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000313 (19/12/02) |
| John Berry Plastics | Fined £6,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / COSHH 1999. Cooling tower in place 4 years. No regular treatment nor RA. MD and factory manager were aware of the risks. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000371 (19/12/02) |
| Score (Europe) Ltd | Fined £1,500 under LOLER 1998. Injured when unsecurely slung load fell during lifting operations. No lifting plan. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000572 (19/12/02) |
| Stork Brothers Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured after slipping and falling 7m through a fragile skylight. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000500 (20/12/02) |
| Safe ladder use campaign. | The 'Falls from Height Priority Programme' is a project aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries due to falls from height. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):2 |
| Beating domestic violence. | Employers have no legal obligation to act over domestic violence but a workplace policy is increasingly important. | 'Domestic violence: workplace guide' £20 TUC Tel:0207-467-1294 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):5 |
| Hazardous waste forum set up. | The Forum will consider the demands of existing and forthcoming legislation and targets for hazardous waste reduction and recovery. | Internet: www.defra.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):9 |
| We can work it out… | Improving workforce involvement in H&S and developing company / union agreements. (R Mackmurdo) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):12-14 |
| Home working. | An employer's RA for employees who work in their own homes. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):21-24 |
| The public health. | The development of public health services capable of handling new and terrifying risks. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):28-32 |
| The safety rep. | How the Unison safety rep and the management of the Severn Health Trust work together to improve the H&S of employees. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):36-38,40 |
| United concerns. | Leading organisations presenting a balanced view has to be good for the future of H&S. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):52 |
| Latest fire statistics for 2001 reveal mixed picture. | In 2001, the number of fires rose 15% to 546,300 and 606 people died although fire related injuries fell by 2%. | 'Fire statistics' Internet: www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/fire/rds/index.htm Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):4 |
| Amendments to approved Document B. | Amendments to Approved Doc B (Fire Safety) 2000 of the Building Regs come into effect on 1/3/03 in line with European specifications. | Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):5 |
| New British Standard for electronic equipment. | Protection against fire of electronic equipment, computers, mission critical servers, internet hosting centres and manufacturing and distribution. | BS6266:2002 £82 BSI Tel:020-8996-9001 Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):6 |
| Hidden strengths. | An integrated approach to the design of large buildings concentrating on structural fire engineering and passive protection. (N Butterworth) | Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):15-17 |
| Staying the pace. | The installation of passive fire protection and the UK construction industry. (G Ellicott) | Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):27-28 |
| Informed decisions. | How fire services carry out operational RAs at incidents involving hazardous materials. (R Klein) | Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):48-49,51 |
| Survival of the fittest. | A US study of firefighter deaths concludes physical health and fitness are the key to reducing on duty fatality rates. (K McKeown) | Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):52-53 |
| Disciplinary action. | Proposed overhaul of the discipline and grievance procedures in the UK fire service. (M Ainge) | Fire Prevention 2003 365 (Feb):54-55 |
| ELCI review needs to be a fundamental one says HSC Chair Bill Callaghan. | The Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance review is an opportunity for fundamental reform of the compensation system for workplace injury and ill health. | HSC Press Release C005:03 7/2/03 |
| HSE issues reminder about training certificates and plant operator licences. | Following an investigation which found evidence of malpractice, a Prohibition Notice has been served on a training provider. The HSE reminds everyone to check the validity of licences and certificates. | HSE Press Release E019:03 7/2/03 |
| HSE relaunches its rail safety web pages. | Visitors to the revamped pages will find guidance on rail H&S. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways HSE Press Release E021:03 10/2/03 |
| Safety and Health Week to focus on dangerous substances. | The European Week for Safety and Health starting on 13/10/03 will focus on dangerous substances in the workplace. | HSE Press Release E017:03 12/2/03 |
| Preferred bidder for HSE's Merseyside Headquarters project. | The HSE has announced that the Kajima Consortium are the preferred bidders to negotiate the final terms of a contract for a new HQ. | HSE Press Release E023:03 12/2/03 |
| Offshore hydrocarbon releases down in 2001/2. | Offshore hydrocarbon releases have decreased by 11% from the previous year with 241 reported. | HSR 2002 002 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/hid/osd/hsr2002/index.htm HSE Press Release E022:03 14/2/03 |
| Notification forms on-line. | A new webpage that allows the downloading of HSE notification forms on-line. | Internet: https://www.hse.gov.uk/forms/index.htm Safety Management 2003 (Feb):2 |
| Globalisation website. | The TGWU website is aimed at increasing understanding of how the globalisation of the world economy can affect workplace issues. | Internet: www.tgwu.org.uk (T&G Services) RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(2):4 |
| Director fined after driver works excessive hours without breaks. | Ms U Johnson fined £2,500, director of Glenhire Express Ltd. Allowed worker to work excessive hours without appropriate rest breaks. Killed on his day off. | Safety Management 2003 (Feb):3 |
| HSE launches CHIP webpage. | New webpage providing guidance on the CHIP Regs 2002 and packaging advice, labelling and data sheets. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/chip/index.htm Safety Management 2003 (Feb):5 |
| We have to go beyond compliance. | Interview with Bill Callaghan, HSC Chairman. | Safety Management 2003 (Feb):6-8 |
| St John Ambulance fined £75,000 after volunteer dies in boat crash. | Fined £75,000 + £35,000 costs in the first H&S prosecution. On a training day, two boats collided throwing a volunteer into the water where he died. No RA. | Safety Management 2003 (Feb):10 |
| Railways Safety Bill issued. | The Railways and Transport Safety Bill proposes an independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). | Internet: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills.htm Safety Management 2003 (Feb):14-15 |
| Better networking. | How T-Mobile delivers the H&S message to its staff. (F Stones) | Safety Management 2003 (Feb):20-21 |
| Noise, vibration and hearing protection. | Practical steps to manage noise and vibration hazards following the EU's adoption of two new Directives. | Safety Management 2003 (Feb):32-34,36,38-39,41,42 |
| A slice of life. | Pizza Hut safety procedures which are being adopted in their outlets across the world. (M Westphalen) | Safety Management 2003 (Feb):44-45 |
| Safety reps stress guide. | Guidance for TU safety reps on how to tackle workplace stress, including how to negotiate a policy with employers. | 'Tackling stress at work: a TU guide' Isbn 1-9005-4476-8 £3.70 LRD Tel:020-7928-3649 Safety Management 2003 (Feb):51 |
| Government rules on hours of work. | In line with the Working Time Regs, from April companies will have a duty to protect young employees from working excessive or unsociable hours. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(2):1-2 |
| Lower threshold. | Changes to the Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regs 1982 have lowered the notification threshold on ammonium nitrate from 500 to 150 tonnes. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(2):3 |
| Warning after collision. | Waterway authorities have been warned to check RAs of passenger vessels if local building projects affect navigable width of channels and bridges. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(2):3-4 |
| BS EN ISO 19011:2002. | Guidelines for quality and / or environmental management systems auditing. | Isbn 0-580-40556-7 £98 BSI RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(2):12 |
| HSE reaches agreement on importance of interlock systems for new lorry loader cranes. | To comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regs 1992 manufacturers of new lorry loader cranes are developing suitable interlock systems to be commercially available by 2006. | HSE Press Release E020:03 14/2/03 |
| HSE releases discussion paper on safe use of climbing frames on tower cranes. | Safe design, manufacture, assembly, use and maintenance of climbing frames on tower cranes. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm HSE Press Release E024:03 17/2/03 |
| HSE issues electrical safety warning after firm fined over burns incident. | Kye Ltd fined £3,000 + £1,224 costs. The HSE has reminded companies to check electrical safety after a site electrician was injured when a cable within a switch fuse failed, resulting in an electrical flashover. | HSE Press Release E025:03 17/2/03 |
| Derailment at Southall East, Sunday 24 November 2002: HSE publishes investigation update. | An update on the ongoing investigation into the derailment. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/southalleast/index.htm HSE Press Release E027:03 20/2/03 |
| Forst-Broach Co Ltd | Fined £20,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured during program set-up at CNC grinding machine. Incorrect data input caused overspeed of the wheel. No local guard fitted. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000393 (3/1/03) |
| New law set to end confusion over disparate health and safety information and consultation regulations. | Due for implementation by 2005, proposals on informing and consulting with employees should end the disparate nature of existing legal requirements for H&S at work. | Internet: www.dti.gov.uk/er/consultation/informconsult.htm Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):6 |
| Safety watchdog faces budget cut as injury claims rise. | TUC figures indicate that the HSE is facing a 10% cut in budget over the next 4 years although claims are rising. | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):5 |
| Business doctor. | Caring for absent workers and the business case for rehabilitation. (Dr S Khan) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):12 |
| Strictly COSHH. | The employers' absolute duty to prevent exposure and the Court of Appeal judgement on nurse Ms A Dugmore who developed an acute latex allergy. (M Temple) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):15 |
| Tackling HAV. | The Physical Agents (Vibration) Dir and how personal behaviour affects susceptibility to vibration. (P Wilson) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):16,18-19 |
| Keep a secret. | The protection of workers' personal information in the face of greater intrusion. (C Atkins) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):24,26 |
| Driven to distraction. | Assessing the hazards and managing the risks of driver frustration and distractions. (P Hughes) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(2):28-30 |
| HSE consults on proposals to extend existing requirements of tanks and pressure receptacles. | Proposals will amend 3 sets of Carriage of Dangerous Good Regs 1996 which otherwise expire on 1/7/03. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult HSE Press Release C006:03 21/2/03 |
| HSE construction blitz targeting mobile plant, vehicles and lifting operations. | In March inspectors will visit construction sites in E and SE England checking on risks. | HSE Press Release E028:03 21/2/03 |
| Minister encourages early action to manage asbestos. | Nick Brown has urged owners and occupiers of commercial and public buildings to comply with the new duty to manage asbestos which comes into force on 21/5/04. | HSE Press Release E026:03 24/2/03 |
| HSE statistics on worker blood lead levels. | The 2001/02 statistics indicate a fall in the total number of workers under surveillance since 1999/00. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/lead.htm HSE Press Release E029:03 26/2/03 |
| New guidance on using computers and preventing RSI. | 'Work with DSE' 'Law on VDUs' and 'Aching arms' are 3 booklets to help reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) or repetitive strain injury (RSI) at work. | L26 Isbn 0-7176-2582-6 £8.95 HSG90 Isbn 0-7176-2602-4 £8.50 INDG171 Isbn 0-7176-2600-8 Free HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E030:03 28/2/03 |
| Michael Russel Brown | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. This prosecution arose from the investigation of a fatality. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000415 (6/1/03) |
| Germains (UK) | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst dispensing ethyl isothiocyanate into smaller containers in a lab. No RA, or safe dispensing method. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000395 (7/1/03) |
| Anthony Gabriel | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. As part of loft conversion, removed chimney top serving gas fire. Replaced with a plastic hose. Unsuitable materials and inadequate size. Fume exposure risk to occupants. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000314 (7/1/03) |
| Albon Engineering & Manufacturing Plc | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a machine where, following a RA, he had previously identified the need for better guarding. RA not implemented. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000386 (8/1/03) |
| Paul Batchelor | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Tree felled in an uncontrolled manner falling into garden. Contractor could not be traced. Employing builder did not check competence nor exercise control. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000402 (8/1/03) |
| Kronospan Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured after falling inside a confined space. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000764 (9/1/03) |
| Dream Wizard Products Ltd | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Inadequate training and supervision of 2 young temporary workers. Poor guarding. No RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000381 (9/1/03) |
| Americhem Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Unsafe system of work used to unblock internal mixer. No guards nor RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000388 (9/1/03) |
| AP Blinds Ltd | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a vertical blind creasing machine. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000408 (9/1/03) |
| Star Window Systems Ltd | Fined £13,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / CHSWR 1996 / MHSWR 1999. Worker killed falling from an unsecured ladder. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000754 (10/1/03) |
HSE Prosecutions Database (4 Feb 2007)
After a gap of around a year, HSE is now posting prosecutions again. We have started inputting cases with hearing dates after 1-Nov-2006 and will update new cases weekly as they are reported. In view of the volume of prosecutions now posted, we are not inputting previous cases. There will therefore be a gap in our database from a hearing date of 24 January 2006 until November 1st. Anyone not finding a case which may have been heard between January and November 2006, should therefore try searching the HSE Prosecutions database.
When the HSE relaunched the Prosecution database in January 2007, after a break of around a year, they appear to have changed the format of the case numbers. Therefore, for all entries with a hearing date before the 24 January 2006 you should search the HSE database using the defendants name instead of the case number we have quoted if you wish to check details for yourself.
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that H & S News entries are an accurate summary of the source data, at the time of publication on the HASTAM website, HASTAM cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in transcription. Further, HASTAM cannot accept any responsibility for the content of the information to be found in the source materials.
HASTAM cannot accept any liability for any events arising from the use of this information. We strongly recommend that, if any information from any H & S News entry is to be used for any specific purpose, the original source is checked to confirm accuracy and to enable the user to take account of the full information. This is particularly important in the case of HSE Prosecutions where the HSE may have withdrawn a specific entry subsequent to its publication in H & S News. Entries can be checked using the search facility on www.hse-databases.co.uk/prosecutions
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