5 September Company Director jailed following death of a worker Company director jailed for a year following the death of one of his workers. A 51-year-old father-of-three (PW) died on 29 January 2014 when a remote controlled Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) he was loading onto a truck fell from the ramps and crushed him. Manchester Crown Court heard how PW had not been adequately trained … Read More
5 August Asbestos in Schools – Trust fined after refurbishment disturbs asbestos Asbestos in schools is an issue that requires serious attention. Sometimes, this goes wrong, as happened here. The trust of an Essex school has been fined after poorly planned and managed refurbishment and maintenance activities exposed school staff and others to asbestos. The Case: Chelmsford Crown Court heard that managers at The Boswells School, Chelmsford, … Read More
1 August Are turban-wearing Sikhs exempt from the need to wear head protection in the workplace? Question – I was recently asked: “I recall some time ago that Sikhs did not need to wear hard hats if they were wearing a turban – Do you know if that is still the case?” Answer: In short the answer is yes, turban-wearing Sikhs exempt are exempt from the need to wear had protection. Longer … Read More
14 July Health And Safety Failings – Lifting equipment leads to £90,000 fine Lifting equipment leads to £90,000 fine Key Facts A Wrexham based coach firm have been prosecuted for failing to comply with LOLER regulations. The subsequent HSE investigation found that the company had at least 14 items with outstanding LOLER examinations. They were fined £90,000 plus costs of £3,068. Read More
13 July Health And Safety Failings – Worker Killed By Falling Boxes Worker Killed By Falling Boxes The Case A Plymouth firm has been prosecuted after a worker was fatally injured when a stack of boxes of frozen fish fell on him. The 22-year-old employee was helping to clear a fallen stack of boxes in a cold store area of the factory when another stack of boxes … Read More
12 July Health And Safety Failings: Farm worker seriously injured in quad bike incident Farm worker seriously injured in quad bike incident where he was not provided with a helmet Key Facts The HSE have urged farmers to wear helmets while riding quad bikes after a worker was seriously injured A 17-year-old worker sustained serious head injuries in an incident in 2014, where he had not been provided with … Read More
10 July Health And Safety Failings – Illegal gas works leads to suspended sentence Illegal gas works leads to suspended sentence Key Facts A gas fitter was investigated after he fitted a gas hob at a property. It transpired he was not on the Gas Safe Register. He was found guilty of breaching Gas Safety Regulations, and given a suspended prison sentence. Read More
13 June Ignoring Enforcement Notices – where does it get you? So what happens if the HSE issues an Enforcement notice to your organisation and you choose to ignore it? Ignoring Enforcement Notices – you don’t have to be a genius to determine what is likely to happen. There will be some form of follow-up (they know where you are) and then things will not proceed … Read More
6 June Tyre firm fined £1 Million after a young worker killed A Kent tyre company has been sentenced and fined £1,000,000 (one million pounds) after a young worker killed following for safety failings that resulted in a tyre exploding. Canterbury Crown Court heard how the young employer (MH), an employee of Watling Tyre Service Limited of Kent, was repairing a puncture to the tyre of a ‘dresser … Read More
27 May Health and Safety Failings – Pub Worker Fined For Gas Failings Pub Worker Fined For Gas Failings This is another case of gas work being carried out by unqualified workers. An HSE investigation was launched into the safety practices of a Torquay pub worker after gas failings were identified at a flat in Torquay. The homeowner requested commissioning documentation for the new gas boiler, but it was not … Read More