11 April Brexit Health and Safety Brexit – the British exit from the European Union. What effect will this have on Health and Safety Law in the UK? Brexit Health and Safety – it is unlikely to lead to rapid major changes. Image created by Starline – Freepik.com To provide legal continuity, the government will prepare a Great Repeal Bill while it negotiates Brexit … Read More
7 April Fire and explosion at an oil refinery leads to £1.65 Million fine The oil and gas industry around the world has been responsible for many serious incidents of fire and explosion, some of which have claimed lives and some of which has resulted only in property damage. Start up is a notoriously dangerous time in the process safety of the plant. In this case, Liverpool Crown Court was told that … Read More
4 April Control measures need to be managed A recent case demonstrates that control measures need to be managed. Control measures are things that we identify in risk assessments and procedures that are intended to keep people safe. If control measures are not adhered to (ignored, or people not being aware of them) them people are not being kept safe, and they may … Read More
29 March Serious Fire at a distillery The failure to manage flammable liquids properly resulted in a serious fire at a distillery. The spirits division of a chemical distributor was fined £270,000 for Health and Safety at Work Act breaches after an employee was engulfed in flames when a fire broke out at its distillery in Oldbury, West Midlands. In August 2016, Wolverhampton … Read More
29 March Recycling Industry – cardboard storage injury A recycling company has been fined £160,000 for a cardboard storage injury arising from a bale crush event. The Smethwick-based firm, Arrow Recycling, has been fined after its failure to safely stack cardboard bales led to a worker being crushed under more than a third of a tonne of the material and being placed in … Read More
27 March Gas Cylinder Fatality An unfortunate series of events led to a gas cylinder fatality – A worker died when one of 66 heavy argonite gas cylinders hit him as they were propelled at speeds of up to 170 mph after one toppled over, discharged high-pressure gas, which caused it to collide with others and set off a chain reaction. The fatal … Read More
24 March Death of a Contractor The death of a contractor has resulted in a large fine for Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited. The self-employed contractor fell from a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) and later died from his injuries after a conveyor was started. In March 2015, the contractor had been working at the height of nearly five metres installing revised fire … Read More
20 March Construction failures – directors jailed Construction failures – directors jailed A Greater Manchester construction company (SR and RJ Brown Ltd) has been fined £300,000 for Corporate Manslaughter, and two of its directors have been jailed for 20 months after covering up the events that led to a worker’s death. The directors attempted to cover up events after the death of a worker. The court … Read More
17 March Asda fined £300,000 for Food Safety Offences Food Safety Offences – Asda has been fined £300,000 after inspectors found dead mice and flies at a depot that distributes food to online shoppers in London and Essex. In May 2016, inspectors found dead mice and flies at a depot that distributes food to online shoppers in London and Essex. Asda pleaded guilty to … Read More
16 March Fire Safety Failings in Student Lettings Fire Safety Failings in Student Lettings housing 23 students has resulted in a substantial £150,000 fine, along with £40,000 in costs. Further to this, the Company Director was handed a three-month prison sentence (suspended for 12 months) and ordered to pay £5000 in costs. The lettings company was fined for serious fire safety failures, including: … Read More