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News November 2008
| Title | Comments | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Two companies fined £130,000 following death of employee. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Lentjes UK Ltd (formally known as Lurgi (UK) Ltd) were fined £45,000 and costs of £25,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Rafako S.A. were fined £85,000 and costs of £35,000 under 2 breaches of the WHR 2005. This follows the death of a worker who fell 23 metres when a displaced floor grating gave way while 3 industrial boilers were being installed. Many of the gratings had not been secured in place and others had been displaced by pipe-fitters who were working on the same boiler. | HSE (North West) Press Release COISE/02 31/10/08 |
| Alternative penalties. Week ending 07/11/08 |
BERR has published guidance on the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. The Act, due to come into force 1 October, introduces alternative types of sanctions, including fixed monetary penalties and enforcement undertakings. It also makes the Local Better Regulation Office a statutory body charged with promoting "better regulation" by LAs and improving co-ordination between local and national government. | Internet: Regulatory Enforcement ? BERR www.berr.gov.uk/files/file47135.pdf Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:3 |
| Asbestos - licensing. Week ending 07/11/08 |
On 30 July, the HSE updated information on asbestos licensing and the process for applying for a licence and finding an asbestos licence holder. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/licensing/index.htm Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:5 |
| Chemicals - biocides. Week ending 07/11/08 |
HSE has updated its advice on the European Commission's proposed revisions to the biocidal products Directive. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/europe/euronews/dossiers/biocide.htm Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:5 |
| Chemicals - REACH. Week ending 07/11/08 |
HSE's executive board have agreed, with some qualifications, to support the approach recommended by DEFRA in its consultation on the enforcement of the REACH Regulations. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/hseboard/2008/170708/b38.pdf Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:5 |
| Construction - information. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The information on managing occup health risks in construction, including advice for co-ordinators appointed under the CDM Regs, has been updated. Also published is 'The selection and management of mobile elevating work platforms'. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/index.htm Construction Info Sheet 58 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis58.pdf Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:5 |
| Enforcement - policy. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The HSE Board has approved publication of an updated version of the HSE's "Enforcement policy statement" and "Policy statement on the enforcement of the HSW Act". There are no changes in policy or principles in either statement. The changes reflect changes in governance, HSE procedures, Government initiatives and removal of responsibility for railway safety regulation. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/hseboard/2008/170708/b35.pdf Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:5 |
| Major hazards - COMAH. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The COMAH Competent Authority is to review the operation of the regulatory regime under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regs 1999. The review will focus on reconfiguring the way that the Regs are implemented to optimise regulatory processes and outcomes. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/hseboard/2008/170708/b34.pdf HSE/08/34 Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:6 |
| Manufacturing - paper. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The non-fatal injury rate in the paper and board sector fell by 22% in the three years to 2007/08, while the number of working days lost dropped by 35%. | Internet: www.paper.org.uk/services/health_safety/pabiac.html Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:6 |
| Quarries - silica. Week ending 07/11/08 |
In July, the HSE issued new guidance for employers responsible for operating quarries. | "Control of respirable crystalline silica in quarries" HSG73 ISBN 9780717662920 Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:7 |
| Regulation - "red tape". Week ending 07/11/08 |
Consultation will close on 14 November on HSE proposals to remove two legislative form-filling requirements that apply to most businesses operating under the Factories Act 1961 and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/index.htm "Removing forms and record-keeping requirements" CD219 Responses: Peter McKerrow 0207 717 6977 or enforcementpolicy@hse.gsi.gov.uk Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:7 |
| Transport - workplace. Week ending 07/11/08 |
An HSL evaluation of an HSE initiative to reduce the number of people hit by workplace transport has found mixed results. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr641.htm Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:7 |
| What will "better regulation" mean for "low-risk" firms? Week ending 07/11/08 |
A new report on "low-risk" enterprises is not the calamity that many of its detractors fear. (Howard Fidderman) | Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:8-12 |
| Out of the frying-pan, into the fire: migrant working today. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The 2004 Morecambe Bay cockle-picking tragedy has resulted in major efforts to reduce the risks faced by migrant workers. (Becky Allen) | Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:13-16 |
| A small step for workers - working time 10 years on. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The impact of the working time Directive in the UK has matched neither employers' fears nor unions' hopes. (Andrea Oates) | Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:17-20 |
| Work equipment in court. Week ending 07/11/08 |
A look at how the appeal courts are approaching the provision and use of work equipment by employers. (Howard Fidderman) | Health and Safety Bulletin October 2008:21-24 |
| Avoiding a risky business. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Some people think they are long and complex. Others think they're too time-consuming. A few think they are just not needed. But, in most workplaces, risk assessments are necessary and, despite what some think, they're usually not long, complex or time-consuming! As this year's European Week campaign is looking at RAs, we thought it was a good time to remind you of the wealth of information, including sample RAs, now available on the HSE's website. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/risk Health and Safety Newsletter Issue 15 Oct-Nov 2008:6 |
| Managing stress: What's in it for you? Week ending 07/11/08 |
National Stress Awareness Day was on 5 November. It gave a timely reminder to make sure that worker well-being is being treated seriously and stress at work is properly managed. In this first of a two-part series on managing stress in the workplace, a look at HSE's Management Standards. | Health and Safety Newsletter Issue 15 Oct-Nov 2008:11 |
| An accident waiting to happen. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Most accidents could easily be prevented, but for whatever reason, simple health and safety measures are ignored, often with dire consequences. Former forklift truck driver Lee McMahon tells how his life has been ruined by an accident caused by his negligent employer. | Health and Safety Newsletter Issue 15 Oct-Nov 2008:12-13 |
| Violence in licensed and retail premises. Week ending 07/11/08 |
A new web-based free toolkit on work-related violence has been produced by the HSE in partnership with Westminster City Council and the Local Authorities Regulatory Services. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/violence/toolkit Health and Safety Newsletter Issue 15 Oct-Nov 2008:14 |
| The Health and Safety Executive and local authorities working together. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The HSE and local authorities need to continue to work together to deliver a new strategy for a safer and healthier Britain. That was the message heard at this year's HSE/LA partnership conference in Manchester The HSE is due to launch a new strategy for workplace health and safety in Great Britain in early December. | HSE (National) Press Release E055:08 5/11/08 |
| Nottinghamshire company fined after employee suffered serious burns. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Phoenix Autoparts 2000 Ltd fined £2,000 and costs of £2,375 under DSEAR 2002. A 59 year old employee received severe burns when a leak of petrol was ignited. The leak occurred during an operation to transfer petrol from a fuel retriever tank into a vehicle's petrol tank. His burns covered 17 per cent of his body and he has not returned to work since. | HSE (National) Press Release HSE/EM/805/08 5/11/08 |
| The Health and Safety Executive supports National Stress Awareness Day 2008. Week ending 07/11/08 |
HSE is pleased to support National Stress Awareness Day with the launch of new and improved stress management standards, analysis tool and user manual. One of the positive steps an employer can take is to adopt the HSE Management Standards for Work-related Stress. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/stress HSE (National) Press Release E056:08 6/11/08 |
| Company fined £10,000 following fall from forklift. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Lynwood Products Ltd of Halifax, was fined £10,000 and costs of £2,089.50 under HASAWA 1974 s2. An employee fell over 2 metres from raised forks of an FLT while transferring waste from a metal cage into a skip. The cage landed on top of him causing fractures to both his shoulders. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber) Press Release YH/531/08 30/10/08 |
| Life saving message for Cumbria farmers at Health and Safety Executive agriculture day. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Cumbria's agricultural industry claims, on average, at least one life every year. The HSE supported an event in the county that provided free guidance, training and advice to those working in the industry. | HSE (North West) Press Release HSE/NW/023/08 31/10/08 |
| Company fined after driver seriously injured in fall. Week ending 07/11/08 |
TDG UK Ltd fined £10,000 and costs of £2,400 under HASAWA 1974 s2. A driver was sent to collect a trailer from another site. After reversing his cab onto the trailer, he was checking the vehicle when he fell down an unguarded and unlit stairwell. He underwent surgery to repair lung damage and was off work for 10 weeks. Other stairwells were guarded and lit. | HSE (North West) Press Release HSE/NW/028/PRO/08 31/10/08 |
| Sutton joins the HSE to hit back at health and safety myths. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Sutton Council is signing up to the HSE campaign to combat the growing myths that are undermining important health and safety legislation. Sutton is the latest local authority in London to sign to the sensible risk agenda. | HSE (London) Press Release 3/11/08 |
| HSE issues machinery warnings as Northallerton firm fined over workplace injury. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Micronized Food Products fined £2,500 and costs of £1,542 under HASAWA 1974. An employee lost part of a finger in a machine, clearing a blockage. An elevator access panel was not fixed to prevent its removal whilst the dangerous parts of the elevator were in motion. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber ) Press Release YH/536/08 3/11/08 |
| West Sussex company fined £30,000 after employee is badly injured. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Natures Way Foods Ltd was fined a total of £30,000 and costs of £16,282 under MHSWR 1999 and PUWER 1998. A Polish employee was asked to leave her regular duties to help with the cleaning of the production line in the factory, but was only given brief instructions on how to clean the machine, with which she was unfamiliar. As a result, her hand was drawn into the machine and one of her fingers was cut off. | HSE (South East) Press Release COISE/0311 4/11/08 |
| Worcestershire schools find out more about preventing accidents and ill health in the workplace. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The HSE held a Safety and Health Awareness Day in Worcester to raise awareness of safety issues in schools and offer practical advice on minimising risk. Topics included, slips and trips, control of contractors, asbestos regulations and working at height. | HSE (West Midlands) Press Release WM352/08 4/11/08 |
| HSE sends out clear warning after death of care home resident. Week ending 07/11/08 |
MacIntyre Care fined £10,000 and costs of £2,476 under HASAWA 1974 s3. A resident of their care home in St. Albans fell whilst being hoisted from a chair to his bed. The hoist was necessary as the resident had profound physical disabilities. As a result of the fall the 56 year old resident suffered fractures to one of his hip bones and elbow, and later died of sepsis, with the coroner highlighting the fall as a contributing factor to his death. An inadequately trained employee was entrusted to hoist the resident and failed to attach the sling properly to the hoist. | HSE (East) Press Release HSE-E82 4/11/08 |
| Wirral firm fined after worker seriously injured in fall. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Demolition Dismantling Services Ltd fined £3,350 and costs of £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. A labourer, who was not a direct employee of the company, was removing a working platform from a roof. He stepped onto the roof and fell 5 metres onto the concrete floor suffering serious leg and pelvic injuries. The company had not provided suitable training, an adequate risk assessment for the work, or suitable safety equipment to prevent a fall and only provided limited supervision to an untrained general labourer. | HSE (North West) Press Release HSE/NW/027/PRO/08 4/11/08 |
| Health and Safety Executive on stand 10/11 in National Painting and Decorating Show. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The HSE is hosting a stand in the National Painting and Decorating Show in Coventry on 11 and 12 November in a bid to reduce the rate of fatalities, serious injuries and days lost through work-related injury and illness in construction and refurbishment industries. | HSE (West Midlands) Press Release WM/353/08 5/11/08 |
| Spotlight on hidden killer at Powys construction safety events. Week ending 07/11/08 |
The HSE supported two events in Powys to highlight the dangers of Asbestos, 'the hidden killer', to construction workers from across mid Wales. The event also included issues such as working at height and risk assessments. | HSE (Wales) Press Release 611/W/08 5/11/08 |
| Norfolk joins HSE to hit back at health and safety myths. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Norfolk County Council has signed up to the HSE campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining health and safety legislation. These are the 'ten principles of sensible risk management' which gives practical advice on what risk management should and should not be about. | HSE (East) Press Release HSE-E117 5/11/08 |
| Skip hire contractor is fined after employee is crushed. Week ending 07/11/08 |
Peter David Marquis fined £15,000 and costs of £4,631.60 under HASAWA 1974 s2. A 17 year old employee was crushed under a 13 tonne excavator at a waste transfer station. The teenager broke his femur and pelvis and had serious internal abdominal injuries. | HSE (North West) Press Release HSE/NW/206/PROS/08 5/11/08 |
| Kent launches UK's first ever countywide inspection campaign. Week ending 07/11/08 |
A new countywide initiative aimed at improving health and safety at work will be launched in Kent this month. The local authority and HSE inspectors will join forces to promote and encourage safe practices within the workplace. | HSE (South East) Press Release COISE01/11 5/11/08 |
| Wooldridge Ecotec Ltd/Landscape Supplies Ltd Week ending 07/11/08 |
Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. IP and a colleague entered the Pirelli tower building, which is shortly to be demolished, and used the stairs to gain access to the first floor and walked across some steel material that was covering a hole. The steel appears to have moved as he walked over it and the IP fell to the floor below. | HSE Prosecution Case 4087624 26/8/08 |
| Nicholas Robert Anderson Week ending 07/11/08 |
Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. IP and a colleague entered the Pirelli tower building, which is shortly to be demolished, and used the stairs to gain access to the first floor and walked across some steel material that was covering a hole. The steel appears to have moved as he walked over it and the IP fell to the floor below. | HSE Prosecution Case 4087645 26/8/08 |
| Mr Hamed Ravanshid / Landlord Week ending 07/11/08 |
Fined total of £375 under GSIUR 1998 and HASAWA 1974 s33. Failure to provide a current Landlords Gas Safety Record as required under the GSIUR 1998. Failure to comply with the requirements of an Improvement Notice. | HSE Prosecution Case 4101545 27/8/08 |
| Gary James Morgan Week ending 07/11/08 |
Fined £1,200 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Suspended pack of bricks burst allowing bricks to fall onto employee causing injuries that proved to be fatal. | HSE Prosecution Case 4097244 29/8/08 |
| Ayrshire Building Construction Ltd Week ending 07/11/08 |
Fined £4,800 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Not wearing head protection and struck by falling bricks and fatally injured. | HSE Prosecution Case 4097252 29/8/08 |
| Keyline Builders Merchants Ltd Week ending 07/11/08 |
Fined £2,400 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Employee was struck by falling bricks while working below a suspended load and suffered fatal injury as a result. | HSE Prosecution Case 4097329 29/8/08 |
| 240v shocks costs rail firms £186,000. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Network Rail Infrastructure fined £120,000 and £10,000 costs. Jarvis Rail fined £66,000 and £6,000 costs. Two Channel Tunnel Rail Link workers received potentially fatal electric shocks from a metal perimeter fence bordering Network Rail property while carrying out repairs. The fence had become live because an RCD on a nearby electrical installation was not working properly. It had a missing fuse and had been out of action for at least 20 months before the accident. | HSW November 2008:2 |
| English lessons keep cleaners safe. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Brighton and Hove City Council is working with the GMB union to offer English language classes to foreign street-cleaners in a bid to cut accident rates. | HSW November 2008:4 |
| First forklift week brings new resources. Week ending 14/11/08 |
The Fork Lift Truck Assoc (FLTA) has launched National Fork Lift Safety Week, a new annual initiative which aims to raise awareness of forklift safety and cut the high number of fatalities and accidents associated with forklift trucks. Free booklets and fact sheets are available to download from the FTLA website. | Internet: www.fork-lift.org.uk HSW November 2008:6 |
| River Island. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Clothes retailer River Island has been fined £8,000 and costs of £3,030 after an employee injured her head entering a window display area via trap doors and was off work for nearly eight months. The company failed to ensure there was a safe means of accessing the window display. | HSW November 2008:6 |
| Vacuum cleaner sparked Cutty Sark blaze. Week ending 14/11/08 |
A police and fire service investigation into the fire that gutted the 19th-century tea clipper Cutty Sark, has traced the likely cause to an overheated industrial vacuum cleaner. A thermal cut-out that would have prevented the fire had been removed from the UK model of the machine. | HSW November 2008:8 |
| Unilever fined for dermatitis case. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Unilever fined £28,770 in fines and costs under COSHH 2002 and RIDDOR 1999, after workers suffered irritant dermatitis due to exposure to hazardous chemicals. | HSW November 2008:8 |
| Bricklayer fined for late report. Week ending 14/11/08 |
J Guest fined total of £4,000 under WHR 2005 and RIDDOR 1999 with costs of £1,880. Employee fell from first floor height, failure to report an employee's fall injury in time. | HSW November 2008:9 |
| Brave new workplace. Week ending 14/11/08 |
How will the world of health and safety have changed in 10 years' time? A look at two attempts by researchers to model the shape of things to come. (Becky Allen) | HSW November 2008:12-14 |
| Enemy at the gates. Week ending 14/11/08 |
A look at how far you can go to deter intruders. (Jocelyn Dorrell) | HSW November 2008:16-18 |
| Working with diabetes. Week ending 14/11/08 |
A consideration of the workplace implications of a common, but misunderstood, condition. (Becky Allen) | HSW November 2008:21-22 |
| Twisted firestarters. Week ending 14/11/08 |
In this month's revision article for NEBOSH Diploma students - tackling arson. (Lawrence Bamber) | HSW November 2008:23-24,26 |
| No sweat. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Do you know what conditions your PPE is made under? A report on two suppliers' efforts to bring an ethical dimension to workwear supply. (Louis Wustemann) | HSW November 2008:28-30 |
| A cut above. Week ending 14/11/08 |
The European cut and abrasion resistance standards for safety gloves. (Philippe Bermot) | HSW November 2008:32-33 |
| Ready to wear. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Providing workers with PPE is the first step to protection, the second is getting them to wear it. (Nigel Day) | HSW November 2008:35-36 |
| Warning to aerial cableway operators after prosecution. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Nevis Range Development Co fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Kevin Byrne, gondola operator, and employee of the company, fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Five people were seriously injured when a gondola cable car on the Nevis Range Gondola came off the haul / suspension rope and collided with the car in front before falling 30 feet to the ground. The forward car then tilted towards the ground, ejecting one passenger and causing the other to jump to the ground. The company and their employee failed to ensure that strict health and safety rules were being followed. | HSE (National) Press Release SCO/173/08 10/11/08 |
| Shop fitters fined £20,000 after man falls from tower scaffold. Week ending 14/11/08 |
E&F Joinery fined £20,000 and cost of £11,895 under WHR 2005. HSE is warning shop fitters to have correctly assembled mobile tower scaffolds after a worker fell 3 metres onto a concrete floor at a new shopping centre. He suffered serious head injuries. | HSE (National) Press Release HSE/LON/010/08 11/11/08 |
| Care home safety in spotlight at HSE event in North Wales. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Care home owners and managers from across North Wales will attend a Safety and Health Awareness Day. It is the first of four seminars being held during Nov and Dec. The events follow a series of inspections on care homes across Wales carried out by the HSE earlier this year. A total of 28 homes were visited and inspectors issued 31 Improvement Notices. | HSE (Wales) Press Release 635/W/08 10/11/08 |
| HSE prosecution prompts warning to householders: beware unregistered gas fitters. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Melvin Scholes, trading as Fieldhead Plumbing, fined £1,300 and costs of £750 under GSIUR 1998. Mr Scholes was carrying out gas work while falsely claiming to be registered. He had previously been registered, but had allowed his registration to lapse. HSE is warning of the dangers of having gas work done by unregistered gas installers. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber) Press Release YH/594/08 10/11/08 |
| Herefordshire schools find out more about preventing accidents and ill health in the workplace. Week ending 14/11/08 |
HSE is holding a Safety & Health Awareness Day in Hereford on Wednesday 19 November to raise awareness of safety issues in schools and offer practical advice on minimising risk. | HSE (West Midlands) Press Release WM372/08 11/11/08 |
| HSE launches web pages dedicated to health and safety in Wales. Week ending 14/11/08 |
HSE has launched a section of its website dedicated entirely at providing support and advice to individuals and businesses in Wales on maintaining high standards of health and safety in workplaces. | HSE (Wales) Press Release 651/W/2008 11/11/08 |
| Tradesmen in Hull and East Yorkshire, Calderdale, Doncaster, Leeds and Kirklees warned of asbestos danger. Week ending 14/11/08 |
HSE has warned tradesman to be aware of asbestos and the risk of contracting mesothelioma, often associated with asbestos exposure. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber) Press Release YH/551/08 11/11/08 |
| HSE sends out clear warning after death of care home resident. Week ending 14/11/08 |
MacIntyre Care fined £10,000 and costs of £2,476 under HASAWA 1974 s3 earlier this month. HSE has warned the care industry to ensure they identify the risks in their workplace and manage them, following the death of a 56 year old man at a residential care home in St. Albans. | HSE (East) Press Release HSE-E82 12/11/08 |
| HSE warns businesses over roof work dangers after contractor and company fined. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Michael Stephenson fined £2,000 and costs of £1,500 under WHR 2005. Calderbrook Estates fined £2,500 and costs of £3,355 under HASAWA 1974 s36. Calderbrook Estates had partly organised the roof work with Michael Stephenson and failed to supervise and monitor the system of work that he had put in place. A subcontractor roofer working for Stephenson, fell 4 metres from the roof and broke his heels after a ladder he was using became detached from the roof ridge. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber) Press Release YH/559/08 12/11/08 |
| Firm fined £80,000 after worker's death. Week ending 14/11/08 |
The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd fined £80,000 and costs of £19,962 under HASAWA 1974 s2. This follows an unwitnessed incident at the company's premises near Doncaster. An experienced baler operator was fatally injured after becoming trapped by hydraulic equipment within an area used for bailing when he apparently entered the enclosure and inadvertently activated a sensor, which started up the machinery. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber) Press Release YH/559/08 12/11/08 |
| "Sign up to sensible risk". Councils across West adopt sensible approach to risk. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Local authorities have joined forces with the HSE to promote a sensible approach to risk and combat some of the silly myths which have grown up around health and safety issues. | HSE (South West) Press Release 653/SWW/08 12/11/08 |
| HSE launches 'asbestos: the hidden killer campaign'. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Electricians, plasterers, plumbers and carpenters are all at risk of exposure to asbestos in buildings erected before 2000. The number of asbestos related workplace deaths exceeds the figure of deaths on road accidents. | HSE (West Midlands) Press Release WM/374/08 12/11/08 |
| Student tradesmen and women in Edinburgh and Glasgow alerted to risk of asbestos - the silent killer. Week ending 14/11/08 |
Trainee apprentices in Edinburgh will receive a stark warning about the danger of asbestos from the HSE. Recent research conducted by the HSE shows that young tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians, know that asbestos is dangerous but just don't believe that they are personally at risk. | HSE (Scotland) Press Release SCO/174/08 13/11/08 |
| BAE Systems Land Systems (Munitions & Ordnance) Ltd Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined total of £50,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and s3. This prosecution arose from an incident which occurred at the Royal Ordnance (Glascoed) Burning Ground operated by BAE. | HSE Prosecution Case 4073192 1/9/08 |
| Simplex Foundations Limited Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined total of £16,900 under HASAWA 1974 s3 and MHSWR 1999. Whilst removing a 1200mm diameter segmental casing from a pile the operator of a piling rig operated the controls of the rig before the clamp on the casing oscillator holding the pile casing had released while a worker was standing nearby. The worker suffered amputation of a leg above the knee and the breaking of the other leg at the ankle. Not following a safe system of work, the company had failed to adequately risk assess the situation when they selected the casing oscillator. | HSE Prosecution Case 4104247 1/9/08 |
| Taypack Potatoes Limited Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined £800 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Employee seriously injured when run over by a reversing FLT. No effective precautions to segregate pedestrians and vehicles and no precautions to alert the drivers of the FLTs that pedestrians need to enter area. | HSE Prosecution Case 4110334 2/9/08 |
| Limehouse Board Mills Limited Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined total of £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. IP was cleaning the company Kirby In-Line Laminator coating rollers. (Unguarded, recently purchased second hand machine.) Risk assessment identified unguarded area. Machine also had other guarding defects. Risk assessment inadequate, no safe working procedures, no monitoring. | HSE Prosecution Case 4123564 2/9/08 |
| GlaxoSmithKline PLC Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined £50,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and MHSWR 1999. Two employees suffered serious burn injuries when a reactor vessel exploded. The explosion was caused by the mixing and heating of two incompatible dangerous substances during a test of plant and software modifications, compounded by the company's failure to safely manage the test or to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. | HSE Prosecution Case 4058227 3/9/08 |
| Curot Contracts Limited Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined £125,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Two men fell 8 metres from a part of the premises known as the "balcony" or "gallery". They were working to remove part of the balcony when the concrete slabbed area upon which they were standing gave way. There were no fall protection or fall mitigation measures in place. | HSE Prosecution Case 4084896 4/9/08 |
| Aram Resources Limited Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined total of £75,000 under QR 1999 and PUWER 1998. DP was working on or near the Primary Crusher. He came into contact with the fixed guard for the flywheel, became caught in the guard and received fatal injuries as he either made contact with the machine and/or its supporting structure or the ground. Machine parts failed to comply with requirements. Failure to ensure that persons undertaking work at the quarry were competent to do that work or instructed or supervised by someone who was competent. | HSE Prosecution Case 4100861 4/9/08 |
| Jonathan K Phaby Week ending 14/11/08 |
Conditional Discharge under HASAWA 1974 s3. Defendant and his employee were seen up a roof repointing a chimney without edge protection. No safe system of working at height, no suitable precautions to prevent person from falling a distance liable to cause injury. | HSE Prosecution Case 4101020 4/9/08 |
| Norking Aluminium Limited Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. IP was reaching through an incomplete front fixed guard on the guillotine in the welding department. IP's right hand was injured. | HSE Prosecution Case 4122321 4/9/08 |
| William Birch and Sons Ltd Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined £12,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Two men working from the platform of a lorry mounted mobile elevated platform at the front of the property. Boom of the platform was struck by a passing large goods vehicle, platform was spun round by the impact, throwing 2 men from the platform to the floor, an estimated 7 metres. Both IPs were taken to hospital. | HSE Prosecution Case 4122504 4/9/08 |
| North Tyneside Council Week ending 14/11/08 |
Fined total of £17,500 under CAWR 2002. School employee entered and cleaned the school boiler room after it had been closed following the identification of asbestos debris. Entry had previously been prohibited. | HSE Prosecution Case 4112813 5/9/08 |
| Construction firms warned to keep health and safety under review after two companies fined following fatal accident. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Sellafield Ltd (then operating under the name of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd) - Client and Principal Contractor - fined £150,000 and costs of £50,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. P C Richardson & Co (Middlesbrough) Ltd - decommissioning and demolition contractor - fined £100,000 and costs of £25,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Following the death of a 36 year old Richardson employee, HSE are warning construction companies to keep health and safety under constant review throughout the life of a project. The Richardson employee was removing steelwork inside the chimney when he had to leave the safety of the working platform that had been built inside the chimney. Although a safe working method had been prepared for removing the steelwork in the chimney, the method had been changed as work progressed. This resulted in workers having to work on an unprotected ledge inside the chimney. | HSE (National) Press Release HSE/NW/030/08 20/11/08 |
| Tougher health and safety penalties confirmed. Week ending 21/11/08 |
The Health and Safety (Offences) Act, which increases the penalties for H&S crimes, comes into force in January after gaining Royal Assent on 16 October. The Act amends s33 of HASAWA 1974, raising the maximum fine that may be imposed by lower courts from £5,000 to £20,000 for most H&S offences. It also makes imprisonment an option for more offences in both higher and lower courts. | SHP November 2008:6 |
| Profession's anger at Tories' "broken society" indictment. Week ending 21/11/08 |
David Cameron's accusations that "health and safety, Human Rights-Act culture" was responsible for "treating people like children" has inflamed many practitioners. | Internet: www.shponline.co.uk SHP November 2008:7 |
| Stress tops safety reps' concerns as economic slide begins to bite. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Stress is the major concern of safety reps, according to a survey of those in the role by the TUC, which warns that the problem is likely to worsen as the financial slump takes hold. Three in five safety reps reported stress or overwork as a concern in their workplace. | Internet: www.tuc.org.uk/safetyrepssurvey2008 SHP November 2008:7 |
| New division to investigate and prosecute cases in Scotland. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Scotland is to have its own specialist division for the investigation and prosecution of all H&S cases. The new division, which will be led by a senior prosecutor, will comprise experienced lawyers in three teams - covering Scotland North, East and West - working with HSE staff in the respective regions. It will be operative from January 2009. | SHP November 2008:8 |
| Committee backs pleural-plaques Bill but questions financial assessment. Week ending 21/11/08 |
The Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee has welcomed measures to ensure people with pleural plaques will continue to be able to claim damages, but has expressed concern about the potential financial implications of the legislation. | SHP November 2008:8 |
| Lump-sum payment for all mesothelioma sufferers. Week ending 21/11/08 |
A new lump-sum payment will be made to all people in the UK who have been diagnosed with the fatal asbestos-related disease mesothelioma, even if they were not directly exposed to asbestos in the workplace. The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008, which came into force last month, introduces a scheme which breaks the link between workplace exposure and asbestos. | SHP November 2008:8 |
| Progress on recording well-being efforts but strategic focus absent. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Four out of five FTSE 100 companies now report publicly on activities to improve the health and well-being of their employees - but too few are taking a strategic approach and measuring progress quantitively. | Internet: www.bitc.org.uk "Nurture your people & grow your business" SHP November 2008:10 |
| Legal eagle tells NHS how to avoid manslaughter charges. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Former Justice Minister, Maria Eagle, has told NHS bosses that they have nothing to fear from the Corporate Manslaughter Act, providing they have in place effective processes for managing H&S. | SHP November 2008:10 |
| MPs campaign to embed OSH in education system. Week ending 21/11/08 |
A Ten-Minute Rule Bill has called for H&S learning to become a mandatory part of the education system. The Health and Safety (Education and Training) Bill focuses on all workforce levels, from work experience, apprenticeships and diplomas, through to professional courses. | SHP November 2008:10 |
| Coach company lied about drivers' hours. Week ending 21/11/08 |
A coach-hire firm that falsified tachograph records, putting its drivers and other road users at risk, is to be put out of business after its appeal was thrown out. At an inquiry in April, the Scottish Traffic Commissioner found that Browns of Edinburgh had falsified tachograph records and drivers' hours, breaching the Working Time Regs. | SHP November 2008:10 |
| Night-time truck-stop transfer ends in horror for drivers. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Pentons Haulage and Cold Storage have been fined a total of £250,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and MHSWR 1999. Jonathan Tiernan and another driver had met to transfer products between their lorries and Mr Tiernan was standing between the backs of the two lorries holding a pallet they were using as a makeshift bridge. He was crushed between his own lorry and the second lorry when it reversed. The driver knew Mr Tiernan was there, and it is not known how he actually came to be crushed. Mr Tiernan died eight months later of his injuries. Pentons pleaded guilty to failing to ensure their employees' safety and failing to use proper planning, organisation and control of protective measures. | SHP November 2008:13 |
| Offshore firms to pay £1.2 million over lifting ops death. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Talisman Energy, operator of the Bleo Holm support vessel, fined £600,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Aker Kvaerner fined £600,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. An oil worker was killed and a colleague injured in a poorly-managed lifting operation. | SHP November 2008:14 |
| Stay of prosecution. Week ending 21/11/08 |
What can happen when a prosecutor brings a case following a death but cannot prove that any failure by the duty-holder caused that death. (Michael Appleby) | SHP November 2008:21 |
| Black spots in history. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Previous evidence of misconduct could be used to help prove a new set of charges brought against a company. How organisations can avoid the legal pitfalls surrounding bad-character evidence. (Annie Johnston and Mike Appleby) | SHP November 2008:42-44 |
| Pastoral care. Week ending 21/11/08 |
After construction, the agriculture sector has the worst record for work-related fatalities, and one of the worst for occup ill health and injury. An overview, focusing on the latter, of some of the many health hazards in the sector and the steps that can be taken to either eliminate or control them. (Chris Ide) | SHP November 2008:47-50 |
| Audiences on edge. Week ending 21/11/08 |
In several cases, the management of risks associated with temporary demountable structures at major public events has been found to be inadequate. What has been going wrong and how procedures can be improved. (Paul Thomas) | SHP November 2008:52-54 |
| Sporting chance. Week ending 21/11/08 |
The HSE's man in charge for London and the 2012 Olympics tells why the Games, and other big public projects in the capital, are a great opportunity for the UK construction industry to improve its H&S performance. (Tina Weadick) | SHP November 2008:57-59 |
| Finer details. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Over the years, as fatalities and incidents in construction have continued to rise, numerous initiatives have been implemented and plans drawn up to try to sort out what remains the most dangerous industry in which to work. Independent incident investigation could be the answer. (John Anderson) | SHP November 2008:61-62 |
| A person of consequence. Week ending 21/11/08 |
An argument that we need to recapture sustainability in construction from an exclusively "green" agenda, and that the new role of CDM co-ordinator, with its attendant H&S competence and responsibilities, is an excellent way of doing so. (Paul Craddock and Barbara Marino) | SHP November 2008:65-66 |
| Mutual for one. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Consolidation and mutual recognition of pre-qualification schemes is needed in order to reduce the current burden of paperwork and form-filling by construction contractors. (Paul Reeve) | SHP November 2008:69-70 |
| It's good to talk. Week ending 21/11/08 |
A summary of the concerns and conclusions of a round-table of H&S leaders from the construction industry. (Gary Falaize) | SHP November 2008:73-74 |
| HSE Chair speaks at TUC Conference 'Health And Safety And Worker Involvement'. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Chair of the HSE has emphasised the important role of safety representatives in achieving successful management of workplace health and safety. She outlined HSE's views of worker involvement and how HSE intended to build on the success of the HASAWA 1974 to continue to improve workplace health and safety in the 21st century. | HSE (National) Press Release E057:08 17/11/08 |
| Beware of the silent killer, HSE's reminder during CO Awareness week. Week ending 21/11/08 |
The HSE has lent its support to CO Awareness Week, organised by campaign group CO Awareness. Often referred to as 'the silent killer', CO fumes are particularly dangerous because they cannot be smelt, seen or tasted and in extreme cases can kill in hours. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/index.htm HSE (National) Press Release E058:08 17/11/08 |
| Farmers urged to store feed safely. Week ending 21/11/08 |
The HSE is urging farmers and the animal feed industry to reassess risks associated to feed storage following the death of a young Northamptonshire farmer. The farmer was killed when a tipping trailer, used for storing animal feed, overbalanced and crushed him. The sleepers that were used to support the trailer were rotten and collapsed under the weight of the feed. | HSE (National) Press Release E059:08 19/11/08 |
| Following death of a man in Smethwick HSE warns of the dangers of working at height. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Pervez Mohammed Iqbal fined £15,000 and costs of £2,800 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Mr Satnam Singh was working under the direction of Mr Iqbal who was carrying out work for Kundi Electrical. Mr Singh was crossing fragile roofs when he fell 5 - 6 metres through a fragile rooflight and died later from his injuries. Kundi Electrical were fined £25,000 with costs of £2,301 at an earlier hearing. | HSE (National) Press Release WM/502/08 21/11/08 |
| Company fined £4,000 after employee severs fingers in machine. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Knauf UK GMBH fined £4,000 and costs of £3,204 under MHSWR 1999 and PUWER 1998. A group of employees were required to clean the rollers on the plasterboard production machine. The guards were removed and the machinery turned on and the rollers were rotating at production speed. The fingers of one of the employees became trapped and as a result he sustained serious and long term injuries to his hand. The HSE found that no suitable health and safety risk assessment had been carried out prior to the cleaning taking place. | HSE (South East) Press Release COISE/11 17/11/08 |
| HSE and Jewson join forces in Barnsley, Wednesbury and Norwich to warn tradesmen of Asbestos Danger. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Jewson branches are backing the HSE's "Asbestos, The Hidden Killer" campaign which was launched last month and aims to reduce the rising death rate from asbestos related disease by educating those in the trade about the danger that asbestos presents to them. | HSE (Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands and East) Press Releases HSE/08 17/11/08 |
| Asbestos: the hidden killer. Week ending 21/11/08 |
Students at the City of Plymouth College have had a presentation and been shown a DVD including an interview with a mesothelioma sufferer, by the head of Chemical Carcinogens and Asbestos Policy Unit at HSE. | HSE (South West) Press Release 699/SWW/08 20/11/08 |
| Scheldebouw (UK) Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Prosecution of accident to John Rooney at Manresa Road London. | HSE Prosecution Case 4111394 8/9/08 |
| Brookfield Construction (UK) Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £18,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Prosecution of accident to John Rooney at Manresa Road London. | HSE Prosecution Case 4111395 8/9/08 |
| Invotec Circuits Tamworth Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £1,000 under WHR 2005. Two maintenance employees working off a pallet balanced on forklift truck forks at 3m to remove an LEV motor from an external wall. There was no protection to prevent fall to the ground. IP also accessed roof at 5m with no edge protection apart from low parapet. There was no fall but IP became unstable, reached out his left hand into the FLT mast and became entrapped with his middle finger being partially degloved but was sewn back in place successfully. | HSE Prosecution Case 4115870 8/9/08 |
| J Guest Limited Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined total of £4,000 under WHR 2005 and RIDDOR 1995. | HSE Prosecution Case 4118757 8/9/08 |
| Profile Construction and Interiors Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £235 under WHR 2005. Employee injured having fallen 3.5m through fragile roof. No suitable and sufficient platforms, coverings or guard-rails to prevent persons falling through the fragile material. | HSE Prosecution Case 4118990 8/9/08 |
| Galloway & Macleod Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £18,750 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Failure to provide safe system of work for carrying out repairs and maintenance work involving entry inside bulk mixer without proper electrical isolation of mixer motor where employees suffered fatal injuries when mixer motor started. | HSE Prosecution Case 4023265 9/9/08 |
| Barr Electrical Contractors Limited Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £45,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Mixer controls not functionality tested during installation of computer control circuits or computer upgrading. In consequence thereof, the mixer started under computer control while two men were inside causing fatal injuries to them both. | HSE Prosecution Case 4053340 9/9/08 |
| Amec Group Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. A 35 tonne truck mounted telescopic crane overturned at a site. Driver of the crane was forced to leap to safety and the 5.7 tonne beam that was being lifted into place fell, narrowly missing 2 employees. One of the outriggers supporting the crane had sunk into the ground. The area had not been prepared for such activities and roadway not wide enough to accommodate the outrigger spread of the crane. The RAs that had been produced were inadequate as they only considered use at a different part of the site. AMEC was the main contractor. | HSE Prosecution Case 4098627 9/9/08 |
| Leach Structural Steelwork Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. A 35 tonne truck mounted telescopic crane overturned at a site. Driver of the crane was forced to leap to safety and the 5.7 tonne beam that was being lifted into place fell, narrowly missing 2 employees. One of the outriggers supporting the crane had sunk into the ground. The area had not been prepared for such activities and roadway not wide enough to accommodate the outrigger spread of the crane. The RAs that had been produced were inadequate as they only considered use at a different part of the site. Leach Structural Steelwork Ltd were the crane operators. | HSE Prosecution Case 4098629 9/9/08 |
| Masterbuild Products Limited Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £2,000 under WHR 2005. An employee suffered major injuries after falling through a fragile roof whilst cleaning gutters. | HSE Prosecution Case 4093377 10/9/08 |
| Morgan Ashurst PLC Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Failed to ensure safe system of work was followed whereby employee of a contractor, whilst in the process of installing a steel beam next to unprotected edge of void, tripped and fell from unprotected edge through void to the lift below causing injury. | HSE Prosecution Case 4115022 10/9/08 |
| J & D Property Services Ltd Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined total of £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3 and WHR 2005. A 22 year old concrete layer employed by subcontractors was laying a concrete floor, when he fell 4 metres though a hole into the well of a lift shaft which had not been made safe. The investigation found that the lift shaft was not covered securely and the edges were inadequately protected. | HSE Prosecution Case 4099033 11/9/08 |
| O'Brien & McIntyre LLP Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined £500 under COSHH 2002. IP was levelling concrete in a foundation this involved stepping on the concrete. Whilst doing so, wet concrete contaminated his clothing and went into his wellington boots. | HSE Prosecution Case 4125155 11/9/08 |
| East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust Week ending 21/11/08 |
Fined total of £8,000 under MHSWR 1999 and EWR 1989. Employee received an electric shock whilst operating steam cleaner that did not have an RCD fitted. | HSE Prosecution Case 4110513 12/9/08 |
| HSE warns offshore industry over risk assessment following prosecution of Shell and Amec. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Shell UK Limited and Amec Group Limited were fined £150,000 each (total £300,000) and costs of £41,500 each (total £83,000) under HASAWA 1974 s3 and s2 respectively. HSE is warning employers working offshore to ensure adequate risk assessments are in place after prosecution of two multinational companies following the death of a technician offshore. The employee from Amec Group Limited was removing stair treads on the Sole Pit Clipper offshore gas installation. He fell about 5 metres to the landing below through the space created by removing two treads and suffered severe head and leg injuries. Amec Group Limited provided staff and services for Shell UK Limited who operated the Clipper installation. | HSE (East and Scotland) Press Releases HSE-E121 26/11/08 |
| Businesses still wrapped in "red tape". Week ending 28/11/08 |
Initiatives to reduce the amount of paperwork involved in complying with legislation have failed to reduce the amount of time businesses are spending to ensure compliance. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/simplification RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:2 |
| Crush death payout. Week ending 28/11/08 |
The family of a man who was crushed to death in a workplace accident over five years ago has been awarded £335,000 in compensation. Dean Thomas was crushed by an hydraulic lowering device. Following his death, his employer JR Crompton was fined a nominal sum of £200 because the employer went into administration. The compensation will be paid by Crompton's insurance company, Zurich. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:3 |
| Fire safety. Week ending 28/11/08 |
The Electrical Safety Council has published a new guide containing practical fire safety advice and guidance for electrical installation work in new and existing domestic premises. | Internet: www.esc.org.uk/business-and-community RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:6 |
| Light saver. Week ending 28/11/08 |
From 2011, all new cars and light delivery vans will be fitted with Daytime Running Lights. These special lamps are automatically switched on when the vehicle's engine is started and substantially increase the visibility of motor vehicles to other road users. According to research, all road users can detect, recognise and identify vehicles fitted with DRL earlier than those without. | Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/safety RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:6 |
| Employers' insurance. Week ending 28/11/08 |
The DWP/HSE guide to the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 has been revised to take into account changes to the legislation. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:6 |
| Alternative thinking. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Complementary and alternative medicines are a growth industry, with the number of therapists offering different therapies continually increasing. At a time when so many workers are reporting suffering from stress and musculoskeletal problems, is there a place for these kind of therapies in the workplace? (Elizabeth Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:17-21 |
| Something in the air? Week ending 28/11/08 |
For many years, pilots and aircrew have been reporting acute and chronic health effects which they believe are the result of breathing in contaminated air on aircraft. In the first of a two part series, talking to some of those who have fallen ill. (Nick Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:27-31 |
| Safety eyewear. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Eye injuries can translate in the most serious cases to loss of a worker's eyesight. For those less seriously injured, they cause pain, discomfort and result in time off work. Employers must provide PPE that offers suitable protection to personnel who may be exposed to potential health risks at work and this includes eye protection. A look at what products are available and when they should be used. (Jacqui Gamage) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:35-38 |
| When the going gets tough. Week ending 28/11/08 |
With the western banking system close to meltdown and UK "negative growth" increasingly a certainty rather than just a possibility, what are the likely effects on health and safety at work? (Roger Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal November 2008:50 |
| Local footballers following in Ian Wright's footsteps. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Footballers from around Birmingham, Walsall and the Black Country are following the example set by former tradesman and England football legend Ian Wright, who has given his support to help highlight the importance of the HSE 'Asbestos: The Hidden Killer' campaign. | HSE (National) Press Release HSE WM/382/08 24/11/08 |
| Need for workers to consider elderly residents highlighted. Week ending 28/11/08 |
British Gas Services Ltd were fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a compensation fee to the householder of £2,700. Alan Newth, trading as Perthshire Oil Heating, was not fined but was ordered to pay £300 in compensation to the injured person. Both were charged under HASAWA 1974 s3. An 81 year old woman fell down an open hatch in the hallway floor left unguarded by the central heating installation contractor. | HSE (National) Press Release SCO/178/08 27/11/08 |
| HSE issues machinery warning after man severs finger. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Napier Brown & Company Ltd was fined a total of £3,000 and costs of £2,446 under PUWER 1998 and MHSWR 1999. A worker lost his index finger, sheared off below the first knuckle, after an attempt to check what was causing a blockage on a packaging line. He placed his arm in an inspection opening, which should not have been accessible. | HSE (Yorkshire and Humber) Press Release YH/577/08 24/11/08 |
| HSE spot-checks halt work on dangerous building sites. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Construction firms carrying out property development and refurbishment projects in Waltham Forest have been targeted by the HSE in a crackdown on dangerous working practices. HSE inspectors visited 16 sites and ordered that work should be stopped on 12, because of concerns about unsafe working practices. HSE served 12 PNs and 5 INs on the owners of the buildings and on the contractors involved. Further spot-checks will take place to ensure these Notices are complied with and lessons learnt. | HSE (London) Press Release Ldn 24/11 25/11/08 |
| HSE on pre-Christmas safety drive across North West. Week ending 28/11/08 |
HSE are to carry out a series of spot-checks on construction across the region. The construction division will be working with CDM Co-ordinators throughout December in a bid to improve the way the CDM Regulations are implemented. HSE inspectors plan to make site visits so they can assess how the industry has changed its planning and co-ordination procedures in light of the newer regulations. The aim is to reduce death, injury and ill health in the industry. | HSE (North West) Press Release HSE/NW/024/08 26/11/08 |
| Health and Safety Executive and Jewson join forces in Carmarthen to warn tradesmen of asbestos danger. Week ending 28/11/08 |
The Jewson branch in Carmarthen is backing the HSE 'Asbestos: The Hidden Killer' campaign and aims to reduce the rising death rate from asbestos-related disease by educating those in the trade about the dangers that asbestos presents to them. | HSE (Wales) Press Release 27/11/08 |
| Western Power Distribution fined £200,000 after electrocution fatality. Week ending 28/11/08 |
Western Power Distribution (South West) PLC was fined £200,000 and costs of £72,694.91 under HASAWA 1974 s3. A 63 year old man was out walking his dog across a field when he came into contact with a fallen 11,000 volt electricity cable and was fatally electrocuted. The electricity pole holding up the cable is believed to have come down in storms. | HSE (South West) Press Release 671/SWW/08 27/11/08 |
| Andrew Thomson Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined total of £26,000 under HASAWA 1974 s22 and s2. No Sep Penalty under COSHH 2002 and HASAWA 1974 s21. Non-compliance with Improvement and Prohibition Notices, regarding the use of silica sand, appropriate protection measures to adequately control exposure to employees. RPE not maintained in an efficient state. | HSE Prosecution Case 4085157 15/9/08 |
| London Container Services Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined total of £16,300 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and PUWER 1998. Loaded container handling vehicle "fell over" forwards resulting in load and mast hitting floor. IP fell through windscreen onto the floor. | HSE Prosecution Case 4117771 15/9/08 |
| Terence Lee Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £800 under HASAWA !974 s37. Loaded container handling vehicle "fell over" forwards resulting in load and mast hitting floor. IP fell through windscreen onto the floor. | HSE Prosecution Case 4117786 17/9/08 |
| Lindsey Marsh Drainage Consortium Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined total of £1,500 under MHSWR 1999 and EWR 1999. Whilst undertaking mechanical weed-cutting the jib of an hydraulic excavator touched an overhead low voltage power line. | HSE Prosecution Case 4119461 17/9/08 |
| F G Construction Ltd Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. IP was taking a short cut across the site in the dumper, went over a dirt ramp and turned to the right to avoid another worker. The dumper fell off the ramp. | HSE Prosecution Case 4075865 18/9/08 |
| Bellway Homes Limited Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £20,000 under CHSWR 1996. IP was taking a short cut across the site in the dumper, went over a dirt ramp and turned to the right to avoid another worker. The dumper fell off the ramp. | HSE Prosecution Case 4075897 18/9/08 |
| D G Sayers Demolition Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Materials falling onto pavement and into road during demolition work. When matter raised, demolition contractor refused to take any action. | HSE Prosecution Case 4092937 18/9/08 |
| Brian James Haddow T/A B J Minibuses Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £6,000 under WHR 2005. Failure to provide suitable control measures such as safety netting, edge protection and staging boards to prevent a fall from height or through roofs whereby an employee fell through a roof-light and was injured. | HSE Prosecution Case 4097728 18/9/08 |
| Unilever UK LTD Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined total of £13,990 under COSHH 2002, RIDDOR 1995, HASAWA 1974 s2 and s3. Employees and others exposed to substances causing irritant dermatitis. Failure to assess risks, failure to implement adequate health surveillance, failure to adequately investigate cases of ill-health, failure to report cases of ill-health in a reasonable time. | HSE Prosecution Case 4113538 18/9/08 |
| Corus UK Ltd Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Unsafe system of work when using remote controlled crane with magnetic attachment resulting in serious injuries to an employee. | HSE Prosecution Case 4094912 19/9/08 |
| D Wilson Architectural Metalwork Ltd Week ending 28/11/08 |
Fined £5,000 under PUWER 1998. Unguarded drill, operator using gloves and his hand became entangled with dangerous part resulting in broken finger and deep lacerations. | HSE Prosecution Case 4120114 19/9/08 |
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HSE Prosecutions Database
The HSE did not post prosecutions for about a year from January until November 2006. There is therefore be a gap in our database from a hearing date of 24 January 2006 until 1 November 2006. Anyone not finding a case which may have been heard between January and November 2006, should therefore try searching the HSE Prosecutions database.
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