Welcome to the archive section of Health & Safety News, a free service which is updated weekly. As well as producing Health and Safety News, HASTAM is an established provider of heath and safety consultancy, health and safety training and audit software (CHASE). We also have a behavioural safety system (SAM) and an environmental division.
About HASTAM 
CHASE Audit Software 
SAM Behavioural Safety 
H&S News November 2003
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| How do we deter employers from breaching health and safety if not through proper action and tougher fined? | Mr Tim Walker, Dir Gen of the HSE queries whether the general levels of fines remain too low to deter companies committing serious breaches. | 'Offences and penalties rpt 2002/03' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/off02-03.pdf HSE Press Release E218:03 5/11/03 |
| High risk activities. | Two research reports on the dangers to people working at height, including the use of mobile elevated work platforms in the arboricultural industry. | CRR116 Isbn 0-7176-2221-5 £50 CRR123 Isbn 0-7176-2701-2 £15 HSE Tel:01787-881165 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(10):8 |
| Protection plan. | The HPA 5 year plan targets curbing the spread of infectious disease, illness associated with exposure to chemicals and radiation, helping NHS trusts prepare for major emergencies and providing impartial advice. | Health Protection Agency Internet: www.hpa.org.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(10):8-9 |
| HSE research highlights common industry risk assessment pitfalls. | 'Good practice and pitfalls in risk assessment' identifies mistakes which are made in the RA process. | RR151 HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):5 |
| 'Competent persons' lack health and safety training. | Research has found that 1 in 5 'competent persons' have had no H&S training rising to 1 in 2 of those working in small companies. | RR121 HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):7 |
| Asbestos - premises. | On-line questionnaire for those responsible for the maintenance and repair of non domestic premises. | 15 min duration Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/asbestos Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):8 |
| You are not the weakest link. | 'Contractorisation' and long supply chains need not increase H&S risks. (L Wustemann) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):11-12 |
| First aid: time for surgery? | HSE's Disc Doc that could bring fundamental changes in the UK's first aid at work legislation. (H Fidderman) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):13-16 |
| Easier COSHH compliance. | HSC's plans to link exposure limits and control measures within the COSHH regime. (C Dyer) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):17-18 |
| HSE hits the highway. | Review of the new HSE guidance on work related driving. (H Fidderman) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):19-20 |
| Stop falling for it. | Research intended to give companies practical tools to control the risk of falls from height. (C Dyer) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (323):21-23 |
| Four major accidents at major hazard sites in 2001/02 detailed in new HSE report. | Of the 4 accidents which occurred at sites subject to the COMAH Regs 1999, 2 resulted in serious and fatal injuries but none caused environmental damage. | 'COMAH major accidents notified to the EC…2001/02' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/comah HSE Press Release E217:03 4/11/03 |
| Occupational exposure to chemicals – a review of limits in Europe. | The report shows the problems of setting, understanding and using OELs across the EU to be similar to those in the UK. | RR172 Isbn 0-7176-2776-4 £25 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E222:03 4/11/03 |
| Urban rodent control and the safe use of rodenticides by professional users. | Guidance to professionals in rodenticide treatments to minimise risks to the operator, the public and the environment. | 'Urban rodent control…' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc515.pdf HSE Press Release E212:03 5/11/03 |
| UK has world class safety record but more to be done on occupational health. | The HSC Annual Report 2002/03 states that the UK is a world leader on workplace H&S but needs to do more on occupational health issues. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/ar0203.pdf HSC Press Release C061:03 5/11/03 |
| Brakes on for old woodworking machines. | Regulations dealing specifically with braking and LCPT will be mandatory on certain categories of woodworking equipment from 5 December 2003. | HSE Press Release E219:03 6/11/03 |
| Industry awarded for improving health & safety. | Minister for Work, Des Browne, presented awards to health and safety champions at the Working Well Together (WWT) 4C awards. | HSC Press Release C062:03 7/11/03 |
| Gaskains Ltd | Fined £4,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured retrieving apples from below a conveyor which started moving. A 2nd accident to a colleague injured whilst clearing a conveyor blockage. Poor guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000412 (26/8/03) |
| Visual Packaging Ltd | Fined £3,000 under RIDDOR 1995 / PUWER 1998. Injured whilst driving an FLT. No training and accident not reported. Previous written and verbal advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F050000167 (26/8/03) |
| Serviceteam Ltd | Fined £18,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PUWER 1998. PTO inadequately guarded. Identified during spot check inspection of grass mowing in the grounds of a leisure centre. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000401 (27/8/03) |
| Harmaton Scaffolding | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. 12 year old climbed up gin wheel rope of 6mx6m independent scaffold which fell on top of him. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000408 (27/8/03) |
| John Dale Ltd | Fined £8,000 under WHSWR 1992. Injured whilst pulling a pallet truck towards loading yard door when struck by a FLT travelling in the opposite direction. Poor visibility due to poorly maintained plastic curtain. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000797 (28/8/03) |
| Stephen John Evans | Fined £500 under CHSWR 1996. During site clearance work, injured whilst driving a mini excavator which overturned. No training. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000258 (28/8/03) |
| Packhorse Case Company Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Complaint received about spraying of toxic chemicals and lack of ventilation. Previous written advice. Poor controls resulting in exposure in excess of MEL. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000352 (28/8/03) |
| BASF Coatings Ltd | Fined £8,000 under PUWER 1998 / LOLER 1998. Case comments are not available for this record. | HSE Prosecution Case C100 (28/8/03) |
| RTD consultation. | Road transport Con Doc on new working time proposals for drivers and crews of HGVs and PSVs participating in activities covered by EU drivers' hours rules. | Internet: www.dft.gov.uk/freight/rtd RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Nov/Dec):3 |
| RoSPA publishes new managing road risk guidance. | Produced to help businesses and fleet managers adapt to the recent HSE MORR guidance INDG382. | 'Managing Occupational Road Risk' £25 Internet: www.rospa.com RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):2 |
| Free OS&H service for Scottish SMEs. | SMEs in Scotland now have free access to the Healthy Scotland initiative called 'Safe and Healthy Working' which provides confidential high quality OH&S advice. | Freephone Tel:0800-019-2211 Internet: www.safeandhealthyworking.com RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):5 |
| Job loss and sickness absence research. | University research on the factors that place employed/self employed, who have been off work because of illness, injury or disability for between 6–26 weeks, at risk of losing their jobs. | 'Lit review of risk factors for job loss following sickness absence' Ms O Makanjuola Tel:0207-9628556 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):9 |
| Disability and work website. | The European Agency for Safety & Health at Work has launched a website to support the European Year of People with Disabilities. Contains information on work adjustments and technological assistance. | Internet: http://disability.osha.eu.int RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):10 |
| Learning from others' mistakes. | A round-up of court cases. (R Mackmurdo) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):12-14,16 |
| Motor vehicle repair garages. | Conducting an RA in a motor vehicle repair garage. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):18-22 |
| Laser safety. | Interview with NRPB's John O'Hagan, an expert in all aspects of laser safety. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):26-31 |
| Beating the bounds. | Government agencies attempts to curb violence relating to health workers. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):36-40 |
| Training for the future. | Comments on the White Paper '21st Century Skills: realising our potential' published in July. (R Bibbings) | Internet: www.dfes.gov.uk/skillsstrategy/ RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(11):51-52 |
| Rail maintenance to move under one roof. | Network Rail's decision to bring rail maintenance back in house is welcomed by unions and rail crash survivors. The transfer will be completed by Autumn 2004. | RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Nov/Dec):1 |
| Making flexible working time. | DTI guidance on employer responsibilities when employees are not working in the traditional office environment. | Internet: www.dti.gov.uk/er/individual/telework.pdf RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Nov/Dec):9 |
| Asbestos: the deadly fibre. | One man's illness and the implications of the new duty to manage asbestos, due to be implemented by May 2004. (N Cook) | RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Nov/Dec):10-11 |
| Workplace accidents increasing in the NHS. | The Public Accounts Com has called for a public strategy for the NHS after 135,000 workplace accidents recorded in 2002. | 'A safer place to work: improving management of H&S risks to staff in NHS Trusts' RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Nov/Dec):12 |
| HSE urges welders to consider safety when buying new kit. | The HSE is urging welders to look for safely designed products that reduce the risk of strains and sprains when buying or hiring welding sets. | INDG390 Free HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E220:03 11/11/03 |
| Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres: HSE publishes four ACoPs. | Intended to help employers eliminate or reduce risks from dangerous substances. Design of plant, equipment and workplaces. Storage. Control and mitigation. Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures. | L134 Isbn 0-7176-2199-5 L135 Isbn 0-7176-2200-2 L136 Isbn 0-7176-2201-0 L137 Isbn 0-7176-2202-9 £9.50ea HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E223:03 12/11/03 |
| Colin Douglas to be new Director of Communications at the HSE. | Mr Douglas has been appointed to the new post of Dir of Communication at the HSE and will take up his post on 5/1/04. | HSE Press Release E225:03 12/11/03 |
| Applied Power Services (S Western) Ltd | Fined £12,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / EWR 1989. Injured making contact with 415v circuit whilst working on switch boards at a substation. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000223 (1/9/03) |
| Clearserve Ltd | Fined £32,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Manslaughter case against company and directors A Courtney and J Holland. No safe system of work, information, instruction or training. No suitable RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000255 (1/9/03) |
| Lewis Andrew Courtney | Fined £6,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Fatal accident to worker. Director charged with manslaughter. No safe system of work, information, instruction or training. No suitable RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000256 (1/9/03) |
| James Quinn Holland | Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Fatal accident to worker. Director charged with manslaughter. No safe system of work, information, instruction and training. No suitable RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000262 (1/9/03) |
| JP Scaffolding | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from scaffold tower whilst dismantling. No harness or training in its use. Director working adjacent in such manner shortly before accident. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000224 (2/9/03) |
| R&M Construction Services Ltd | Fined £5,000 under EWR 1989. Cable strike. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000384 (4/9/03) |
| Cleanwash Engineering Ltd | Fined £2,400 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Allowed another company's worker to use a metal cutting guillotine on which he sustained injury. Poor guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000433 (4/9/03) |
| Westfield Asbestos (UK) Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CAWR 2002. Failure to control dust during large scale removal of sprayed asbestos coating and insulation board. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000274 (4/9/03) |
| RC Grant & Sons Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CAWR 2002. Failure to take suitable precautions whilst removing artex containing asbestos. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000235 (5/9/03) |
| Consultation on new vibration regulations. | Con Docs on proposed new regulations and guidance implementing the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Dir. | CD190 & CD191 Free HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/index.htm HSC Press Release C064:03 17/11/03 |
| Should the law impose safety duties on directors? | Currently, safety obligations are placed on a company and thus individual directors have no duty to take steps to ensure compliance with H&S law. HSC guidance is only voluntary but further HSE research is likely to form the basis for revised guidance late in 2003. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):3 |
| Construction worker asphyxiated by debris. | Dew Construction Ltd fined £20,000 + £3,344 costs. Agency dumper driver killed after vehicle overturned whilst reversing along a narrow canal tow path. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):6 |
| Crushing death costs company £200,000. | ThyssenKrupp Darcast Ltd t/a Darcast Components Ltd fined £200,000 + £62,500 costs. Untrained operator killed by a 40-tonne charge car in a foundry. No line of sight for operator of controls. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):8 |
| Accident led to permanent disability. | Solglas fined £35,000 + £7,470 costs. Injured working on an automated glass cutting line inside an incompletely fenced enclosure. Custom and practice for workers to take a shortcut through enclosure. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):8 |
| Gloves were trapped in unguarded machinery. | Polypipe Bathroom & Kitchen Products fined £4,000 + £905 costs. An experienced worker had 2 injuries in 2 years when gloves became trapped in unguarded machinery. Further accident involving gloves. Previous advice. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):10 |
| Worker paralysed at Welsh quarry. | BE Marble & Granite fined £7,500 + £2,000 costs. During vehicle movement round site, 2mx3m slabs fell from their storage frame. Injured whilst helping with the recovery. No RA. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):10 |
| Kids saw rollercoaster engineer dragged to his death. | Prime Resorts Ltd fined £40,000 + £20,000 costs. Killed when struck by roller coaster whilst lubricating track. No RA, maintenance procedures or monitoring. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):12 |
| Court of Appeal emphasises risk assessment. | The RA is fundamental to the working of modern goal setting H&S law. (M Appleby) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):12 |
| EU move could lead to more claims. | Sufferers of occupational disease may have more opportunities to claim compensation with the updated EC list of diseases that can be linked to the workplace. | C/2003/3297 Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/ 2003/sep/occ_disease_en.html Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):17 |
| Europe or bust? | Europe has an increasingly important part in shaping the way health and safety is regulated in the UK. (D Eves) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):25-26 |
| 'The Board has announced today…' | With more businesses going through change, a review of the HSE's new guidance on organisational change and major accident hazards. (P Mullins) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):28-30 |
| Fork kinds of trouble. | Summary of presentations at the recent Fork Lift Truck Association Safety Conf. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):32-34 |
| Piling up problems. | Although freight companies need to carry the greatest quantity of goods, little has been done to change unsafe outdated handling practices. (J Adams) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):36-38 |
| The mechanics of materials handling. | Manual handling and the use of mechanical aids to help improve productivity and safety. (D Abbott) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):40-42 |
| Simpler formula needed on chemical exposure. | Con Doc on proposed changes to help ensure that OELs effectively contribute to worker protection. | CD189 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(11):66 |
| Statement by Mike Williams, Principal Inspector, Health and Safety Executive. Tower Crane collapse inquest. | Inquest open verdict into the deaths of 3 workers killed when the top of a luffing jib tower crane overturned and fell. The precise technical cause of the accident has not yet been established. | HSE Press Release E226:03 13/11/03 |
| Railway safety review: come and have your say. | To debate the issues raised in 'Safety on the Railway' there will be an open meeting in York on 3/12/03. | For information Tel:020-7717-6064 HSE Press Release E227:03 13/11/03 |
| HSE publishes annual report on Railway Safety 2002/03. | The report indicates that train incidents fell by 17% although total fatalities rose from 36 to 50. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/annualreport0203/index.htm HSE Press Release E230:03 17/11/03 |
| HSE publishes help with harmful chemicals. | A paper version of 'COSHH Essentials' which includes 70 new control guidance sheets launched on the Internet version in October. | Isbn 0-7176-2737-3 £30 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E228:03 17/11/03 |
| Call centre 'Community sharing' could benefit occupational health across the UK. | This far-reaching approach in sharing information could benefit the call centre industry by improving their occupational health record. | 'Psychosocial risk factors…' RR169 Isbn 0-7176-1973-7 £15 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E229:03 18/11/03 |
| Contractors urged to address poor site management following prosecution. | The HSE urges contractors to make sure they manage work sites effectively after Amey Rail Ltd fined £9,000 following inspector's night visit to a track relaying site. | HSE Press Release E231:03 18/11/03 |
| HSC publishes health and safety statistics for 2002/03. | 'H&S Statistics Highlights 2002/03' include workplace safety, work related ill health and enforcement action in GB. | HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overpic.htm HSC Press Release C066:03 19/11/03 |
| New figures on workplace deaths and injuries show no significant change. | In work related accidents during 2002/03 there were 226 people killed and 28,426 major injuries. | Highlights Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh0203.pdf H1SC Press Release C065:03 19/11/03 |
| Construction company fined £8,000 following serious accident. | Sunley Turriff Constr Ltd fined £8,000. During construction work, agency worker picked up plywood sheet and fell 5m through the hole it covered. Co in administration. | HSE Press Release E233:03 19/11/03 |
| Changing gear to deliver on the promises of securing health together. | At HSE's 'Securing Health Together' workshop, Des Browne made commitment to deliver the promise of a long term occupational health strategy in GB. | Internet: www.ohstrategy.com HSE Press Release E232:03 20/11/03 |
| HSE publishes updated guidance on dust explosions. | 'Safe Handling of Combustible Dusts' is aimed at industries dealing with combustible dusts. | HSG103 Isbn 0-7176-2726-8 £10.95 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E221:03 20/11/03 |
| Avoiding injuries by moving from a cup of tea to tai chi? | HSE researchers would like to hear from any company which encourages their staff to do warming up or stretching exercises before starting work. | Mr N Colford Human Eng'g Ltd Tel:0117-9620888 HSE Press Release E235:03 21/11/03 |
| Queen Anne Tableware Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Inadequate control of Legionella risk. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000589 (8/9/03) |
| Hydro-Tech Environmental | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Inadequate control of Legionella risk. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000590 (8/9/03) |
| Ilpea Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Visiting driver injured when load fell on him from forks of FLT. No segregation, vehicle control or hi-viz wear. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000411 (8/9/03) |
| MEM Group Plc | Fined £6,000 under CAWR 1987. Contractor failed to remove all traces of asbestos insulation board following its removal from school ceilings. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000263 (8/9/03) |
| M Whitelock | Fined £2,400 under CHSWR 1996. Householder struck by falling slate knife. Poor scaffold protection whilst reroofing private house. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000396 (9/9/03) |
| Harry Marsh (Engineers) Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Driver injured when a steel beam trapped him on the back of a trailer. Inadequate precautions when lifting and moving 'I' beams. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000414 (9/9/03) |
| A&R Scaffolding Ltd | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Scaffolder injured falling 4m from roof edge. No edge protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000559 (9/9/03) |
| Bryant Homes Ltd | Fined £25,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Joiner injured when joist failed under his weight causing collapse and fall. Joist not adequately supported. Persons working near open edges. Principal contractor. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000186 (9/9/03) |
| JL O'Rourke & Sons Ltd | Fined £2,600 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Joiner injured when joist failed under his weight causing collapse and fall. Joist not adequately supported. Persons working near open edges. Employer. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000188 (9/9/03) |
| Mids & Horsey Ltd | Fined £2,600 under PUWER 1998 / MHSWR 1999. Injured whilst using a tape laying machine. Safety features modified by user since supplied and interlock disabled. RA inadequate. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000516 (10/9/03) |
| Norman & Underwood Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PUWER 1998. 16 yr old apprentice injured whilst using a guillotine. No guarding, supervision, young persons' RA, information, training. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000414 (10/9/03) |
| Ferro Ti & Alloys Ltd | Fined £10,000 under CHSWR 1996. During demolition of mezzanine floor by own workers, one killed when part of floor collapsed. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000441 (10/9/03) |
| Appleton Commercial Eng Ltd | Fined £2,400 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Passing inspectors saw work on roof of an industrial unit. Roof lights fragile. Unsafe system of work and risk of fall through roof lights. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000408 (10/9/03) |
| Brittons Roofing | Fined £1,000 under CHSWR 1996. Passing inspectors saw work on roof of Appleton's industrial unit. Roof lights fragile. Unsafe system of work and risk of fall through roof lights. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000409 (10/9/03) |
| Chamlore Developments Ltd | Fined £6,000 under CHSWR 1996 / HASAWA 1974 s2 & s3. Failure to comply with a Prohibition Notice regarding prevention of falls >2m. Poor site conditions, lack of pedestrian / vehicle separation. Inexperienced site manager. Principal contractor. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000265 (10/9/03) |
| Dogmersfield Park Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CDMR 1994. Appointment of an incompetent contractor. No effective steps to ensure that the contractor was competent. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000268 (10/9/03) |
| Galliford (UK) Ltd | Fined £16,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. 11kv overhead power line struck by HGV whilst tipping fly ash. No precautions and line not identified. General risk from overhead lines identified in outline plan. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000206 (11/9/03) |
| Clarkes of Walsham Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. FLT driver injured by reversing lorry whilst carrying out maintenance. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000432 (12/9/03) |
| JG Thompson | Fined £7,500 under PUWER 1998. FLT driver killed when truck he was driving overturned. Inadequate training. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000383 (12/9/03) |
| What price safety? | Railways may be safer, but at a price in both money and reliability. Recently resigned Head of HSE's Rail Safety Division has accused HSE of being "dysfunctional". | The Economist November 29 2003:36 |
| Construction industry accused of paying 'lip service' over fall risks. | The HSE's Ch Insp of Construction has slammed the construction industry after a 2nd inspection blitz found little improvement. | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):4 |
| Cleanaway fined £200,000 after worker dies in waste incinerator. | Cleanaway Ltd fined £200,000 + £135,000 costs. One worker killed and one injured when a tonne of waste incinerator lining material collapsed on them during maintenance work. | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):5 |
| Limiting exposure to chemicals. | Review of the HSC's new proposals to simplify the current system of occupational exposure limits. (D Axeby) | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):6-8 |
| Report condemns differing levels of Local Authority inspections. | A Unison/Centre for Corp Accountability report indicates that the level of H&S enforcement action by LAs varies hugely. | 'Safety lottery…' Internet: www.corporateaccountability.org/LA/Report03/Main.htm Safety Management 2003 (Nov):12 |
| Enforcement guide now on-line. | The guide to HSE inspectors sets out procedures to be followed when enforcing H&S laws. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcementguide Safety Management 2003 (Nov):16 |
| World of colours. | How H&S is tackled by one of the world's leading manufacturers of natural and synthetic colours. (F Stones) | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):18-19,20 |
| Council fined after metal gate kills girl. | Stockport MBC fined £75,000 + £11,109 costs. 9yr old girl killed whilst playing, when a metal road barrier collapsed on her. The barrier gateway had been previously damaged and reported on several occasions. | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):27 |
| Workers overcome in confined space. | Try-Accord Ltd fined £150,000 + £7,146 costs. Two workers overcome by CO fumes whilst using a petrol driven road saw inside a plastic enclosure. No safe system of work, and a petrol driven saw inappropriate. | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):28 |
| Companies fined over asbestos risk. | Trimount Properties Ltd fined £24,000 and RJ Bowdery Builders Ltd fined £25,000 + £7,159 costs each. Asbestos contamination during building dismantling. No precautions. Failure to restrict access to area where floorboards removed. Management failures. | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):30-31 |
| PPE. | PPE covers everything from hard hats to disposable face masks. Why it is needed and what employers must do to ensure it is used and maintained properly. | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):32-34,36,38,40-41,42 |
| New training partners. | The train company awarded Best Operator at the Natl Rail Awards 2003 has found best practice in railway safety springs from unlikely partnerships. (M Whitby) | Safety Management 2003 (Nov):44-46 |
| Slips in healthcare. | Guidance on preventing slips and trips in the health care sector. Aimed at managers, H&S officers, TU reps and workers. | Health Serv Inf Sheet No 2 HSE Tel:01787-881165 Safety Management 2003 (Nov):51 |
| Health and safety regulations. | Revised leaflet giving basic advice about H&S regulations. Includes the purpose of ACoPs and guidance docs. | HSC13 HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/regindex.htm Safety Management 2003 (Nov):51 |
| HSE guidance on controlling legionella in water systems. | New video on managing the risks of exposure to legionella bacteria. Aimed at employers and others with responsibility for the operation of cooling towers or hot/cold water systems. | 'Intro to the control of legionella bacteria in water systems' Isbn 0-7176-2580 £30 + VAT HSE Tel:01787-881165 Safety Management 2003 (Nov):53 |
| Designers can do more. | The CIC, ICE, CIRIA and HSE have announced a range of initiatives to eliminate or reduce risk to construction workers through design. There will be awareness days, guides and website material. | HSE Press Release E234:03A 21/11/03 |
| Preventing asthma: Essex Hospital Trust wins European health and safety award. | Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust has won an award recognising the Trust for removing the hazardous chemical glutaraldehyde, a cause of asthma, and replacing it with a safer non toxic alternative. | Awards information Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/ HSE Press Release E236:03 24/11/03 |
| Local partners improving health and safety in London. | LA and HSE inspectors visited 43 workplaces in Ealing, issuing 3 Prohibition and 4 Improvement Notices. | HSE Press Release E238:03 25/11/03 |
| Safe working with LPG-fuelled motor vehicles. | For those working with the increasing number of LPG fuelled vehicles. Aimed at those in the motor vehicle repair, recovery and breaking industries. Does not cover the fuel system. | INDG387 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E237:03 26/11/03 |
| Safety must remain top priority offshore – Des Browne. | At a conference in Aberdeen Min for Work, Des Browne praised the success of the safety case regime in making the UK offshore industry a safer place to work and stressed the import of remaining up to date and relevant. | A copy of the speech available on request. HSE Tel:08701-545500 HSE Press Release E240:03 27/11/03 |
| Williams IT Consultancy Ltd | Fined £5,550 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst hand feeding a vertical spindle moulding machine. Poor guarding and inadequate training. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000371 (8/9/03) |
| WL Duffield & Sons Ltd | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s2. During a farm delivery, failure to ensure the safety of the driver, who was knocked down by a JCB. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000424 (15/9/03) |
| Calder Dyeing Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Visitor injured by a 200kg textile bale pushed from a 15' high teagle opening. No controls to prevent falls from height or 3rd party exposure to risks from falling items. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000536 (15/9/03) |
| Gary Moore t/a Glosta Engineering | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s33. Obstructed an HSE Inspector during performance of his duties. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000407 (15/9/03) |
| Collective IMS Ltd | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Following notification of an overturned FLT. Workers driving FLTs were not trained or certificated to drive them. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000403 (15/9/03) |
| SGB Services Ltd | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999 / CHSWR 1996. Killed falling through unprotected fragile roof light. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000234 (15/9/03) |
| Amarjit Singh | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s33. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice requiring proof of annual gas safety check at 13 properties. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000306 (16/9/03) |
| Mitsui Babcock Energy Services Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Assisting in installation of conveyor belt. Visitor injured falling 3m through open hoist way hatch in floor. No RA or barriers. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000472 (16/9/03) |
| Christopher Thorneycroft | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Installing conveyor belt. Visitor injured falling 3m through open hoist way hatch in floor. No RA or barriers. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000473 (16/9/03) |
| South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust | Fined £18,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Vulnerable patient fell >3m from 1st fl balcony accessed from ward. Previously identified risk but no action taken. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000420 (16/9/03) |
| Float Glass Industries Ltd | Fined £17,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Two workers injured whilst manually handling glass and one injured whilst cleaning under machinery. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000423 (17/9/03) |
| Kenneth Browse | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling down a manhole full of boiling water. No safe system of work for draining boiling baths. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000665 (18/9/03) |
| Benjamin John Browse | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling down a manhole full of boiling water. No safe system of work for draining boiling baths. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000666 (18/9/03) |
| Peter Mathew Browse | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling down a manhole full of boiling water. No safe system of work for draining boiling baths. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000667 (18/9/03) |
| Tensile Forgings | Fined £12,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a 4 spindle drilling machine. No guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000580 (18/9/03) |
| East Midlands Electricity Distribution Plc | Fined £4,800 under EWR 1989. Killed closing a pole mounted switch under live conditions, whilst restoring electricity supply following a thunderstorm. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000421 (18/9/03) |
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
For copyright reasons we cannot make the articles themselves available.
If you wish to comment on H&S News, please use the Feedback form (you might win a bottle of Scotch).
