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News June 2003
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| HSE publishes EH40 supplement 2003 on the Internet. | The supplement should be read in conjunction with EH40/2002 for there will be no 2003 version of EH40. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/eh40sup.pdf HSE Press Release E089:03 30/5/03 |
| 'Sickies' push up absence costs for business. | A CBI survey indicates absence rates in 2002 have dropped to the lowest in 15 years but firms are still paying out an average of £476 per employee to cover the costs of absence. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):3 |
| HSE issues construction plan for 2003/4. | The plan focuses on falls from height, workplace transport, slips and trips and road work on high speed roads. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):2 |
| EU chemicals' policy proposals unveiled. | The proposed REACH system is an important example of current EC industrial policy, putting its sustainability strategy into practice. | Internet: www.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/chemicals/ chempol/whitepaper/reach.htm Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):2 |
| Employment agency jointly fined for road death. | Lafarge Redland Agg Ltd fined £175,000 + £52,750 costs and Pertemps Ltd fined £30,000 + £27,350 costs. Traffic management worker killed whilst crossing the road. Unsafe system of work, excessive hours. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):6 |
| Corus hit with £100,000 fine in light of previous health and safety failings. | Corus fined £100,000 + £8,000 costs. Run over whilst cleaning a boom stacker which failed to stop although the emergency stop button was used. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):8 |
| Snack company admits guilt in unsavoury incident. | Golden Wonder Ltd fined £18,000 + £2,027 costs. Injured cleaning adjacent machines after slipping between and becoming trapped. No suitable RA. Climbing on machines was not viewed as hazardous. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):8 |
| Accidents: a positive duty in law to investigate. | Accident investigation is good practice and part of an organisation's reactive monitoring of safety performance. (K Bridges) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):10 |
| Every safety subject under the sun. | The European Agency for S&H at Work has released a list of new studies and ongoing projects. | Internet: www.agency.osha.eu.int Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):14 |
| REPackaged for a modern world. | The 21st century and the framework for worker representation on health and safety. (K Curran & T Walker) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):19-20 |
| The error of our ways. | Human error, or deficiencies in the design of the working system? (D Abbott) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):22-24 |
| A foresight saga. | Cambridgeshire CC and its compliance with the CAWR 2002. (P Faupel & P Worswick) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):26-28 |
| Systems analysis. | Research recommendations into systems available to make work at height safer. (Dr I Cameron, Dr R Duff & G Gillan) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):31-34 |
| Doing the right thing. | The HSE's good working practice initiative in action on a construction site. (T Weadick) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):36-37 |
| Laying down the law. | The recent European Dir on Temporary Work at Height and what implementation will entail. (D King) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(6):39-40 |
| Liverpool scores first for safety! | Liverpool is the first City Council to sign up to the Working Well Together construction industry scheme. | WWT Campaign Tel:0845-2727500 HSC Press Release C018:03 29/5/03 |
| Health and Safety Commission consults on new MELs. | Proposals for maximum exposure limits (MELs) for Refractory Ceramic Fibres and Subtilisins (a type of enzyme). | 'Proposals for new MELs' HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSC Press Release C019:03 2/6/03 |
| Don't fall for it. | Launch of an EU campaign on falls from height in the construction industry. | Action Pack Tel:08457-181819 HSE Press Release E088:03 2/6/03 |
| Revised guidance on control of exposure to TGIC in coating powders. | Reflects the changes introduced by the COSHH (Amend) Regs 2003 which came into force on 29/4/03. | EIS15 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E081:03 3/6/03 |
| HSE issues revised guidance on gas turbine safety. | Aimed at manufacturers, suppliers and operators of gas turbines used for various purposes. | PM84 Isbn 0-7176-2193-6 HSE £7 Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E085:03 3/6/03 |
| Handle with care – the hidden dangers at work. | European Safety and Health Week 13-18/10/03 will try to get everyone thinking about what might affect themselves and their families. | HSE Press Release E090:03 3/6/03 |
| Nestlé and Monotronic fined £245,000 following electrocution. | Nestlé fined £220,000 + £30,000 costs. Monotronic fined £25,000. Contractor's worker killed whilst pulling out redundant cables from trunking. | HSE Press Release E091:03 3/6/03 |
| HSC consults on carriage of dangerous goods legislation. | A Con Doc on proposed changes which should simplify the regulatory framework. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm HSC Press Release C020:03 3/6/03 |
| Safety research plans unveiled. | The Strategic Research Outlook 2003 guide to HSC/E's research priorities and activities. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research HSC Press Release C021:03 4/6/03 |
| AT Osborne Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s6. Supplied composter involved in accident. Safety control bar poorly positioned. Two similar machines leased at later date. Failure to provide new information. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000355 (17/3/03) |
| New Century Amenity Services t/a N Century Gp Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Use of a type of composter known to be defective, having the safety control bar poorly positioned. As Artel Services Ltd, had guilty knowledge of the use of this type of machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000356 (17/3/03) |
| John Crook | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s37. Manager at Artel at time of serious accident involving a composter. Later signed a RA covering the use of the same type of composter at sub contractor of New Century Amenity Serv Ltd (previously Artel). | HSE Prosecution Case F020000374 (19/3/03) |
| Formbend Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using an unguarded hydraulic press. Safety device had been defeated. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000468 (17/3/03) |
| Jaffabox Ltd | Fined £3,500 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured by in-running nip of conveyor. No guarding or RA. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000485 (17/3/03) |
| Mr Michael Richards | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s33 / GSIUR 1998. Failure to carry out landlord's gas safety check and provide tenants with a record. Non compliance with Improvement Notice. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000489 (17/3/03) |
| Quarrytec (UK) Ltd | Fined £2,200 under HASAWA 1974 s33. Non compliance with Improvement Notices. | HSE Prosecution Cases F110000768 / 69 / 70 (17/3/03) |
| Wells Agriculture Ltd | Fined £4,000 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured falling 4m from a ladder. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000408 (17/3/03) |
| Electrolux Household Appliances Ltd | Fined £3,000 under MHSWR 1999 / EWR 1989. Electrician injured whilst installing socket to control panel. Isolator handle defeated, cable direct to HV supply. No RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000388 (17/3/03) |
| Crown Lift Trucks Ltd | Fined £17,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PUWER 1998. Worker climbing on racking. No FLT training. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000382 (18/3/03) |
| Macey Panel Products Ltd | Fined £1,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using a banding machine. Interlock defeated. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000385 (18/3/03) |
| Mosol Properties Ltd t/a AJH Cleaning | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Collapse of a wall. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000659 (19/3/03) |
| S Lyles, Sons & Co Ltd | Fined £14,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured by in-running nip of tape scouring machine. Machine supplied with poor guarding. Previous similar accident. No RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000509 (19/3/03) |
| Saint-Gobain Weber Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst operating unguarded machine. No guard put in place when component removed for maintenance. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000340 (20/3/03) |
| Tomkinsons Carpets Ltd | Fined £5,000 under WHSWR 1992. Injured falling >2m from a creel whilst unloading bobbins. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000464 (20/3/03) |
| Keith Button | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. Customer loading timber outside yard injured by FLT reversing out of yard. FLT driven by 18 yr old with little training. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000323 (20/3/03) |
| Unity Biscuits Ltd | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s21 / MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998 / WHSWR 1992. No RA. Non compliance with Improvement Notice. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000467 (21/3/03) |
| LG Electronics North of England Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured when a press tool fell from a storage table. Failure to ensure endstops raised. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000369 (21/3/03) |
| Project Two Ductwork Ltd | Fined £3,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Operators' glove entangled in drilling machine. Poor guarding. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000482 (24/3/03) |
| PSU Designs Ltd | Fined £2,500 under PUWER 1998. 16 yr old apprentice injured whist reaching inside the discharge chute of a cable cutting machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000483 (24/3/03) |
| Techniques Surfaces (UK) Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Following an accident. No training for lifting operations although a company requirement. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000486 (24/3/03) |
| Danexport Protein Food | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using unguarded screw conveyor. Deliberate removal of guard. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000495 (24/3/03) |
| AG Welding & Maintenance Services | Fined £2,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using drilling machine. Machine unguarded for several months. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000384 (24/3/03) |
| Romag Ltd | Fined £3,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured after 'A' frame and glass tipped from pallet truck whilst being moved. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000370 (24/3/03) |
| Mays (Pressure Diecasting) Ltd | Fined £30,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 & s3 / NCTECR 1992. Failure to properly maintain 2 cooling towers and to notify their presence. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000344 (25/3/03) |
| Six Mile Bottom Shoot Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Young person injured falling from the rear of a moving vehicle. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000339 (25/3/03) |
| Richard Clarke | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s37. H&S management involvement at company where a young person was injured falling from the rear of a moving vehicle. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000343 (25/3/03) |
| Eric Todd | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Member of the public struck by a falling ladder being used for roof work. No safe working platform. Ladder not securely fastened. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000135 (25/3/03) |
| Stadco Powys | Fined £5,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using a power press. Automatic guards failed. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000765 (26/3/03) |
| Heys Shaw Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst clearing creases on a metal cold roll forming line. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000350 (26/3/03) |
| Outdoor Maintenance Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured by a chain saw operated by a colleague. No training nor correct protective clothing. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000515 (27/3/03) |
| HBG Construction North East Ltd | Fined £8,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Two injured whilst laying pipes in unsupported excavation outside site office. Inadequate method statement and supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000115 (27/3/03) |
| Fabricon Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling 4m through a fragile roof light whilst undertaking repairs. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000408 (28/3/03) |
| LH Construction Ltd | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. No safe system of work for removal and replacement of a roof around a cement silo. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000516 (28/3/03) |
| Marshalls Mono Ltd | Fined £2,500 under CDMR 1994. Did not ensure that contractor provided a RA and method statement for removal and replacement of roof around a cement silo. Principal contractor. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000517 (28/3/03) |
| Working on drugs. | The effects of prescribed drugs on work performance. (E Gates) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):11-12,14 |
| Regulating waste. | Following the need for greater progress in waste management, the EA has brought out consultation papers showing a risk based approach to regulation. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(5):6-7 |
| BOHRF study. | The Br Occup Hlth Res Found maintain that the Cabinet Office guidelines for reducing sickness absence in the public sector, are not evidence based. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(5):9 |
| Constructive advice. | The construction industry and the Government are likely to provide £1.3m to fund an occupational health support scheme for the industry. | R Boland HSE Tel:020-7556-2100 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(5):9 |
| Psychological violence is as serious as physical. | The EU report claims that workplace aggression increased by 5% from 1997 to 1999 with 1.3m incidents of physical violence in England and Wales. | 'Preventing Violence and Harassment in the Workplace' Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):4 |
| NHS accidents cost £173 million annually – and are increasing. | Accidents in NHS Trusts rose by 24% in 2001-2 and the gap between the best and worst performing trusts is widening. | 'A Safer Place to Work' NAO Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):5 |
| Two die from smoke inhalation after security device caused fire. | Trapped behind airlocked doors, two workers died when a cash delivery box fitted with an anti-tamper device malfunctioned causing a fire. | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):5 |
| Compensation culture threatens UK business. | Research amongst 100 UK companies shows >60% fear that the current compensation culture will have an impact upon the business. | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):8 |
| Diversity training in public sector reviewed by Home Office. | A Home Office report on the handling and appropriate delivery of racism awareness and cultural diversity training. | 'Training in Racism Awareness and Cultural Diversity' Internet: www.homeoffice.gov.uk Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):8 |
| To err is human. | The poor design of the workplace environment and the ergonomics of error. (B Bridger) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):20,22 |
| Food and drink guide. | The H&S of the producers in the food and drink processing industries. (P Hughes) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):23,24,26 |
| A-Z of personal protection: nominal or assigned protection? | Selecting the correct PPE for each situation. (J Forrest) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(6):32 |
| Free guidance and on site support to improve health and safety in textiles and footwear. | A free 'mentoring' service aimed at small businesses in the textile and footwear manufacturing industries. | I Cook HSE Tel:0113-283-4251 HSC Press Release C023:03 6/6/03 |
| HSE website video warns of risk of E-coli 0157 in closer encounters with animals. | This 4 minute video ensures that parents, teachers and others are aware of the hidden risks of E-coli from closer encounters with animals in the countryside. | 'Open farms healthy children' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/killfields/ecoli.htm HSE Press Release E092:03 6/6/03 |
| Dr David Snashall leaves HSE. | Dr Snashall's 5 year secondment to the HSE as part-time Chief Medical Adviser finishes on 30/6/03 after which he will resume teaching and research. | HSE Press Release E095:03 6/6/03 |
| HSE publishes updated guidance on railway safety case law. | Revised guidance on railway safety cases containing the latest legal requirements and advice on compliance. | L52 Isbn 0-7176-2186-3 £20 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E093:03 10/6/03 |
| Safety chief praises union role and calls for more employee involvement. | Mr Bill Callaghan, HSC Chairman, told trades unions at the GMB Conf that they should be proud of their contribution to H&S. | HSC Press Release C024:03 11/6/03 |
| Local partners improving health and safety in London. | Following a new working partnership between HSE and some London LAs, inspectors from the HSE and Camden Council visited 60 workplaces checking on H&S. | HSE Press Release E096:03 12/6/03 |
| Health and safety inspectors 'blitz' farms in Shropshire. | From 16/6/03 a team of 7 agricultural inspectors will be visiting farms in Shropshire. | HSE Press Release E098:03 12/6/03 |
| Elemis Ltd | Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Following an accident to a child. Failure to ensure contractors on their site were working safely at height above fragile material. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000651 (31/3/03) |
| Del Monte Fresh Produce (UK) Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Following an accident involving the driving away of a vehicle whilst being loaded. Failure to maintain a system of work to prevent driveaways. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000653 (31/3/03) |
| Allied Construction Ltd | Fined £10,000 under CHSWR 1996 / CDMR 1994. Collapse of flank wall adjoining site where excavation was being undertaken. Principal contractor. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000409 (31/3/03) |
| John Sime Partnership | Fined £4,000 under CDMR 1994. Collapse of flank wall adjoining excavation site. Failure to ensure that a design for foundations had adequate regard for foreseeable risks. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000410 (31/3/03) |
| South Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire Recycling Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured after entering compactor and being knocked into a hopper. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000281 (31/3/03) |
| James Moir & Sons Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CHSWR 1996. Employees working on the roof of an industrial building with no fall protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000569 (31/3/03) |
| Stoddard International Plc | Fined £750 under EWR 1989. Following an accident. No safe system of work for those working near live conductors. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000422 (31/3/03) |
| Robertson Group Construction Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Following a death. Failure to manage and co-ordinate work on site. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000071 (31/3/03) |
| MCG Containers & Closures (Huddersfield) Ltd | Fined £7,000 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured whilst setting gears of a rolling machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000510 (1/4/03) |
| Paul Lackenby | Fined £100 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Carried out cavity wall insulation and drilled into a flue serving a gas appliance. Tenant later suffered CO poisoning. Failure to carry out safety checks. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000391 (1/4/03) |
| Gary Swallow | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Friend killed when brickwork collapsed whilst replacing a domestic bay window. No support of brickwork. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000137 (1/4/03) |
| Keith Taylor Engineering | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Child injured after car came off a fairground ride. Recent previous examination by Mr Taylor. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000402 (2/4/03) |
| Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3 & s33. Breach of the Act. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000578 (2/4/03) |
| Prizeform Ltd | Fined £500 under LOLER 1998 / PUWER 1998. Failure to have lifting equipment examined by a competent person. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000645 (3/4/03) |
| Stairways Midlands Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. New worker injured whilst using a chop saw. Poor system of work. Inadequate maintenance and training. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000461 (3/4/03) |
| Hydramatic Engineering (UK) Ltd | Fined £1,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured by unguarded stabilising device fitted to a lathe. Guarding removed some time previously. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000324 (3/4/03) |
| Aidan Crump | Fined £1,500 under CHSWR 1996. Injured falling 3m through skylight whilst repairing roof of agricultural building. No internal fall protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000149 (3/4/03) |
| Andrew Cupples | Fined £1,500 under CHSWR 1996. Injured falling 3m through skylight whilst repairing roof of agricultural building. No internal fall protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000150 (3/4/03) |
| Howard John Costello | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling 5m from unprotected roof ridge. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000165 (3/4/03) |
| Southern Glass Services (UK) Ltd | Fined £6,000 under HFL&LPGR 1972 / MHSWR 1999. Injured after methylated spirit ignited during glass cutting. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000443 (4/4/03) |
| Morrison Property Care Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Killed after scaffold toppled over. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000421 (4/4/03) |
| Eurotake Ltd | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s21. Non compliance with Improvement Notice regarding examination reports under LOLER. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000381 (7/4/03) |
| Aggregate Industries UK Ltd | Fined £30,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Following a death. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000335 (7/4/03) |
| New corporate manslaughter law will not target individual directors. | The Home Office has suddenly promised a draft Bill but the criminal liability of individual directors will not be targeted by the new proposals. | Safety Management 2003 (June):2 |
| Likely candidates. | The EC will spend 13m Euros on various research projects involving countries hoping to join the EU. | Information Internet: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/calls_accssa.cfm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(5):8 |
| Asbestos deaths increase. | Between 1980-2000 deaths from asbestos related mesothelioma have trebled, according to HSE research. | HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics Safety Management 2003 (June):2 |
| HSE launches new webpages. | Three webpages providing guidance on alcohol and drug misuse at work, working safely in confined spaces, and preventing falls from height. Each provides links to published guidance and advice on the law. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/alcoholdrugs/index.htm www.hse.gov.uk/confinedspace/index.htm www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm Safety Management 2003 (June):5 |
| Tackling construction site safety. | The UCATT Gen Sec has emphasised that provision of TU safety reps was an effective way of improving construction's safety record. (G Brumwell) | Safety Management 2003 (June):6-8 |
| Best practice kit for small firms. | A pack of information tools designed to improve H&S in small businesses, including an interactive CD-ROM. | HSE Tel:08701-545500 Safety Management 2003 (June):10 |
| Perfect partners. | Report on an HSC pilot project to raise safety awareness by introducing into firms specially trained voluntary advisers. | Internet: www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-6505-f0.cfm Safety Management 2003 (June):14-15 |
| Packing up the risks. | Safety hazards in a large cheese packing plant. (M Westphalen) | Safety Management 2003 (June):18-20 |
| Quarrying firm and directors fined £50,000 after man's arm severed by conveyor belt. | Wessex Stone Ltd fined £15,000 + £5,000 costs. Mark Foley and Daniel O'Brien each fined £10,000 + £5,000 costs. Injured whilst attempting to clear a running conveyor. No RA nor safe system of work. | Safety Management 2003 (June):23 |
| Seeboard in court after asbestos risk. | Seeboard Powerlink Ltd fined £25,000 + £4,941 costs. During maintenance on alternators, 3 workers were exposed to the risk of inhaling asbestos fibres after thermal insulation lining was removed. No asbestos survey. | Safety Management 2003 (June):27 |
| Budgens fined £20,000 for injury. | Budgens Ltd fined £20,000 and Gist Ltd fined £30,000 + £12,631 joint costs. Supermarket worker injured when delivery cage fell from lorry tail lift. No safe system of work. Lorry driver had no suitable training for unloading. | Safety Management 2003 (June):28-29 |
| Man blinded by explosion. | Travers Env Services Ltd fined £20,000 + £4,426 costs. Injured whilst charging and testing vehicle batteries. Flammable gas built-up and a spark caused a battery to explode. Previous independent H&S advice for this activity. | Safety Management 2003 (June):29 |
| Fatal roof fall costs firm over £35,000. | Industrial Roofing (Contracts) Ltd fined £25,000 + £13,289 costs. Killed falling 12m through fragile roof light. Colleagues had almost fallen through similar roof lights. No RA, fall arrest system, or staging boards. | Safety Management 2003 (June):31 |
| Workplace equipment. | All work equipment must be correctly selected, operated and maintained if it is to be used safely at work. | Safety Management 2003 (June):32-34,36,38,40 |
| A last resort. | A recent evaluation of the PPER 1992 is unlikely to lead to any reduction in the financial burden it places on employers. (A Kinnier) | Safety Management 2003 (June):42-43 |
| Young workers and the law. | The young are vulnerable in the workplace because of possible inexperience, immaturity and lack of awareness of H&S risks. | HSG165 Isbn 0-7176-1889-7 HSE £7.95 Safety Management 2003 (June):49 |
| Electrical switchgear guidance. | Precautions required to reduce the risk of fire or explosion caused by faulty workplace switchgear. | INDG372 HSE Safety Management 2003 (June):51 |
| Use of cement. | Information sheet on the risks from cement and how to control them. | CIS 26 HSE Tel:01787-881165 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(6):4 |
| 'High 5' ways to make construction a decent and safe place to work. | Aimed at those running small construction businesses and at workers on small sites. | HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSC Press Release C022:03 13/6/03 |
| Seeking innovative companies who want to tackle stress. | This pilot project is aimed at helping firms tackle stress at work by encouraging them to 'have a go'. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/stress HSE Press Release E099:03 16/6/03 |
| Decorators fined £15,000 following fall from height. | Decorative Specialists Ltd fined £15,000 + £1,070 costs. Project Manager / Safety Advisor for a job fell 3m whilst accessing a scaffold platform from an unsecured ladder. | HSE Press Release E0102:03 16/6/03 |
| HSE agrees move to reduce Sellafield discharges. | BNFL have received permission to re-route the future production of a radioactive liquid stream, which will reduce discharges to the environment. | HSE Press Release E100:03 17/6/03 |
| Ford fined £300,000 for fatality in Southampton. | Ford Motor Co fined £300,000 + £46,688 costs. Worker killed falling into an emulsion paint overspray capture tank whilst at Philip Services Europe. | HSE Press Release E103:03 17/6/03 |
| Artistic talent encourages farm safety. | Mark Speight presented prizes to the winners of the Scottish children's farm safety poster competition. | HSE Press Release E097:03 19/6/03 |
| HSE appeals to Scottish farming families 'work with us to stem rising tide of death in agriculture'. | In Scotland, the agricultural industry claimed 11 lives in 2002/3 which is the highest since 1996/7. | HSE Press Release E101:03 19/6/03 |
| Hunting Park Engineering Ltd | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured by a 32kg tube ejected whilst trying to release a fitting pushed into a die by a 1,000 ton down stroking hydraulic press. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000547 (7/4/03) |
| Yorkshire Building Supplies Ltd | Fined £2,000 under WHSWR 1992. Lorry driver injured by reversing FLT during hours of darkness. No lighting in loading yard. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000321 (8/4/03) |
| Blackstock & Co Ltd | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling through a roof. No safe access, fall arrest or suitable equipment. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000085 (8/4/03) |
| Sansom Construction Ltd | Guilty under CHSWR 1996. Member of the public injured by 8x4 panel falling from a scaffold. Poor fixing. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000102 (8/4/03) |
| Merley Paper Convertors Ltd | Fined £5,000 under PUWER 1998 / MHSWR 1999. 16 year old agency worker injured at till roll banging machine. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000408 (9/4/03) |
| Banchory Contractors Ltd | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. 17 year old apprentice injured whilst using a circular saw. Poor guarding. No safe system of work or supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000596 (9/4/03) |
| Mr Paul Richards | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / PUWER 1998. Felled a tree which fell onto a car containing 3 members of the public. No suitable training. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000391 (10/4/03) |
| Api Tenza Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a slitting machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000404 (10/4/03) |
| Trefn Metal Treatments Division Ltd | Fined £6,000 under MHSWR 1999 / WHSWR 1992. Injured falling 4.5m from a tower scaffold into a water vat. No edge protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000767 (10/4/03) |
| Andton Construction Ltd | Fined £6,000 under CHSWR 1996 / CDMR 1994. Failure to provide edge protection to stairwell and other edges in a 4 storey building undergoing conversion. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000087 (10/4/03) |
| Webasto Metal Finishing Ltd | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Three injured when bund wall collapsed. Contractor not competent. No supervision, completion testing, or maintenance RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000475 (11/4/03) |
| Trills Services Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Designed and constructed a bund wall which collapsed injuring 3. Not competent, did not consult a structural engineer. No completion testing. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000477 (11/4/03) |
| Myerscough College | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Gamekeeping student shot. Poor management of event and failure to follow the safety guidance of the Clay Pigeon Assoc. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000397 (11/4/03) |
| JR Cookson Contracting Ltd | Fined £3,750 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / CHSWR 1996 / CDMR 1994. During visit. No site fencing, poor welfare facilities, untrained site management. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000002 (11/4/03) |
| Lanson Developments Ltd | Fined £500 under CDMR 1994. Failure to appoint a Planning Supervisor and ensure a construction phase plan prior to construction commencing. Previous advice to MD. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000003 (11/4/03) |
| Making health and safety a cornerstone of a civilized society. | The HSE is seeking early comments on their strategy development process for the next 10 years. | 'Strategic thinking…' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm HSE Press Release E107:03 23/6/03 |
| Future noise regs. | The Physical Agents (Noise) Dir 2003/10/EC on the H&S requirements of worker exposure to noise is due for implementation in the UK by Feb 2006. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):4 |
| Airside safety and driving code. | The Airport Operators' Assoc have launched training materials aimed at all those involved in airside driving. | ASIG Internet: www.asigtraining.com RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):4 |
| Patient expectations contributing to NHS violence says NAO report. | Since 2001, incidents of violence and aggression against some NHS staff have increased by 13%. | Natl Audit Office Internet: www.nao.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):8 |
| Product safety review: Part 2. | Responses to the DTI's consultation on the revised General Product Safety Directive. (R Mackmurdo) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):12-15 |
| Public houses. | Conducting a risk assessment in a public house. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):16-19 |
| Workplace physiotherapy services. | Physiotherapy services tailored specifically to industry. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):24-26,28-30 |
| The Janway Davies judgement. | Court of Appeal case which held that the interpretation of s40 HASAWA did not contravene Article 6(2) ECHR. (M Cowell & R Talwar) | e-mail: martin.cowell@dla.com RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):32-33 |
| The occupational health nurse. | The working day of an occupational health nurse. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):36-39 |
| W(h)ither H&S management? | Managing H&S rather than just reacting to hazards. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(6):50-51 |
| HSE leaflets are too tough to read. | Research has indicated that many HSE leaflets are too difficult to be understood by many of their target audience. | RR093 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):1 |
| Employers failing to tackle drink and drugs problems. | A survey has found that fewer than 1 in 2 companies have a drugs and alcohol policy. Many managers have no awareness of any policy. | Chartered Man Inst Tel:020-7421-2704 Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):3 |
| Bumper year for union lawyers highlights failure of employers to secure safe work. | The TUC believe insurance companies are beginning to appreciate the benefits of union expertise to improve H&S in the workplace. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):4 |
| Turkish worker in freezer was victim of racial abuse. | Employment tribunal case under race discrimination law awarded £15,000 damages. Poultry factory worker locked in freezer room and firm took no disciplinary action. HSE issued Improvement Notice in respect of freezer door. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):5 |
| Let's have some quiet. | A successful approach to hearing conservation programmes. (C Dyer) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):7-12 |
| Keep on rolling – safely. | Review of research aimed at reducing the number of accidents associated with roll containers. (C Dyer) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):13-14 |
| Missed targets, unequal and patchy: safety the NHS way. | The National Audit Office (NAO) review of the NHS. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (319):15-17 |
| FBU executive backs new deal. | The FBU Exec Council has accepted revised proposals to resolve the dispute over pay and modernisation in the UK fire service. | FBU Internet: www.fbu.org.uk Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):3 |
| Concerns over fireproofing of World Trade Center. | The US NIST's investigation into the WTC disaster on 11/9/01 revealed that the building's floor system was not tested to determine its fire endurance. | US Natl Inst of Standards & Technol Internet: http://wtc.nist.gov Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):5 |
| New FETA guidance on safe extinguishant disposal. | The Fire Extinguishing Trades Assoc Code gives guidance on the safe disposal of extinguishants. | Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):10 |
| Installation warning from ASFP. | The Assoc for Specialist Fire Protection has warned that Certs of Conformity for installed passive protection may be worthless unless issued under a third party accreditation scheme. | 'Ensuring best practice for passive fire protection in buildings' ASFP Tel:01252-739142 Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):11 |
| COMAH concerns. | Report on major incidents at UK sites that fall within the scope of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regs 1999. | Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):13-15 |
| ATEX explained. | The requirements of ATEX 1999/92/EC (Worker Protection 137 Dir) relating to potentially explosive atmospheres. (R Gilbey) | Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):16-18 |
| Dangerous decisions. | Overview of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regs 2002. (C Bell) | Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):19-20 |
| Withdrawal symptoms. | The implications for owners of halon systems of EC Reg 2037/2000 banning the use of all non-critical halon systems from 31/12/03. (G Cranny) | Fire Prevention 2003 369 (June):34-36 |
| HSE supports child safety week. | This year Child Safety Week commenced 23/6/03. Organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust it stresses the importance of protecting children in the workplace. | HSE Press Release E106:03 20/6/03 |
| New website to protect pregnant women. | The website draws together HSE's advice on protecting the H&S of new and expectant mothers. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/mothers HSE Press Release E104:03 24/6/03 |
| HSE issues warning to recreational dive companies following prosecution of partner. | Mr A Abery managing partner fined £2,000 + £3,401 costs. Failure to comply with Improvement Notice requiring compliance with the DWR 1997. | HSE Press Release E108:03 24/6/03 |
| Can your firm prove itself to be a leader of health and safety? | The Working Well Together campaign has opened nominations for its annual H&S awards. | Internet: www.wwt.uk.com HSC Press Release C026:03 25/6/03 |
| HSE publishes detailed data on work-related ill-health survey. | A major new report giving detailed information on the extent of work-related ill-health has been published by the HSE. | 'Self-reported Work-related Illness …' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/swi0102.pdf HSE Press release E111:03 26/6/03 |
| HSE consults on Network Rail TPWS exemption application. | Consultation paper seeking views on application by Network Rail for exemption from requirement of RSR 1999 to fit TPWS. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/liveissues/tpwsconsult.htm Responses to Mrs Chandrika Shah, CL1, HSE, 3rd Floor North,
Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS; 020 7717 6866; tpws.exemption@hse.gsi.gov.uk by 7/8/03
HSE Press Release E110:03 26/6/03 |
| Site foreman fined for safety breach. | Fined £1,500+£1,380 costs under HASAWA 1974 s7(a). Injured after falling approx 5 metres from bucket of excavator being used for access to heights. Highly unsafe system of work. | HSE Press Release E113:03 26/6/03 |
| Revised HSE guidance on working with VDUs. | New edition of guidance book Working with VDUs published by HSE. | 'Working with VDUs' INDG36 rev2. Free copy from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA. Tel 01787 881165. Priced packs of 10 Isdn 0-7176-2222-3. |
| Statement by Justin McCracken, Deputy Director General HSE Metropolitan Police Prosecution | Statement by DDG HSE regarding their decision to prosecute the Metropolitan Police over failure to protect police officers. | HSE Press Release E116:03 27/6/03 |
| Sunlight Service Group Ltd | Fined £18,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Injured in in-running nip of conveyor. No RA or safe system of work. Management failures. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000640 (14/4/03) |
| GF Tomlinson (Building) Ltd | Fined £12,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / CHSWR 1996 / CDMR 1994. Plastering contractor injured falling from ladder placed on tower scaffold. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000387 (14/4/03) |
| JBR Recovery Ltd | Fined £9,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Overcome by CO fumes whilst working at height in the wind belt of a live blast furnace. Inappropriate RPE, no fall protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000488 (14/4/03) |
| H&S Joinery Ltd | Fined £2,500 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Young person on work experience injured at extraction fan on sanding machine. No guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000389 (14/4/03) |
| Samuel Walker Transport Services Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / LOLER 1998. Recently employed lorryloader operator injured when vehicle overturned. Failure to properly deploy outriggers. No competency assessment. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000570 (14/4/03) |
| Duroscaff Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Scaffolder killed falling 50' through a fragile rooflight. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000074 (14/4/03) |
| Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd | Fined £2,300 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst clearing a blockage on a Watchman post machine with unguarded slotters. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000449 (15/4/03) |
| S.C.K.N. Transformers Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Failure to train, supervise and instruct. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000505 (15/4/03) |
| Mr D MacLean | Fined £6,000 under HASAWA 1974 s33 / GSIUR 1998. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice regarding failure to provide evidence of a landlord's gas safety check. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000307 (16/4/03) |
| Aberdeen City Council | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Member of the public killed by a refuse collection vehicle being used on a footpath. Inadequate RA, no safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000565 (16/4/03) |
| Mr J Howie | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3 & s33. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice regarding improving his bull pen. Previous advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000386 (17/4/03) |
| Thrall Europa | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst attempting to remove lifting clamp from steel assembly which toppled over. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000496 (17/4/03) |
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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