8 May Health and Safety Failings – Ice cream manufacturer fined after worker loses finger Ice cream manufacturer fined after worker loses finger Key Facts: An ice-cream manufacturer’s employee lost a finger after it became trapped in exposed moving machinery. The employee had been trying to clean a fruit feeder machine, and did not realise it was still switched on. Unsafe work practices were identified at the company. The manufacturer … Read More
7 May Health and Safety Failings – Unsafe construction work leads to company fine Unsafe construction work leads to company fine Key Facts: The HSE launched an investigation into a construction firm after site workers lodged a complaint about unsafe practices. Key safety failings were identified, including unsafe excavation works, lack of valid Employers Liability Insurance, and unsafe work at height. The company was fined £10,000 and costs of … Read More
5 May Health and Safety Failings – Prosecution after worker crushed to death by excavator Prosecution after worker crushed to death by excavator Key Facts: An engineer has been prosecuted after a worker was crushed to death by an excavator on an Orkney pier. The HSE investigating officer stated that the ‘tragic incident could have been avoided had the work been properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a … Read More
4 May Health and Safety Failings – Gas leak at hospital leads to construction firm fine Gas leak at hospital leads to construction firm fine Key Facts: A construction firm have been prosecuted after causing a major gas leak by unsafe digging at a hospital. It took 90 minutes to stop the gas leak, leading to a significant amount of gas leaking into the atmosphere. The construction firm were fined £14,000 … Read More
1 May Health and Safety Failings – Construction firms prosecuted after worker loses arm Construction firms prosecuted after worker loses arm Key Facts: Three construction firms prosecuted after worker loses arm in incident with chip spreader machinery. Multiple safety failings identified, including lack of training, no safe systems of work in place, and risk assessment failings. The construction firms were fined a total of £355,045 and costs of £54,000. Read More
30 April Health and Safety Failings – Farmer prosecuted after walker trampled by cows Farmer prosecuted after walker trampled by cows Key Facts: A 40-year-old walker was trampled by a farmer’s cows whilst walking on a public path in Cornwall. The farmer had failed to assess the risk of putting cows with calves in the field. The farmer was fined £12,000 and costs of £8,885. Read More
28 April Health and Safety Failings – School governors fined after pupil’s shot-put injury School governors fined after pupil’s shot-put injury Key Facts: A school’s governing body have been prosecuted for ‘substantial’ safety breaches after a pupil was hit by a shot-put during PE lesson. The pupil was struck on the back of the head by a shot-put thrown by another student during a multi-sports lesson. His life-threatening injuries … Read More
27 April Health and Safety Failings – Inadequate training leads to £10k fine Inadequate training leads to £10k fine Key Facts: An HSE investigation was launched after a worker’s hand was crushed by a pressure beam at a Birmingham factory. The worker was unable to work for over 3 months after the incident. Inadequate training and a failure to appropriately manage the site maintenance programme were at the … Read More
24 April Health and Safety Failings – Suspended jail sentence over asbestos exposure Suspended jail sentence over asbestos exposure Key Facts: An HSE investigation was launched following asbestos exposure during works to remove asbestos insulting board from a residential property. A Leeds trader undertook the work, with the assistance of two workers, despite not holding the relevant legal license required for the work. The HSE said ‘It would … Read More
23 April Health and Safety Failings – Multiple prosecutions after worker fell to his death Multiple prosecutions after worker fell to his death Key Facts: A toy distributing firm and a builder have been prosecuted after a worker fell to his death. The worker fell 9m after falling through a warehouse roof panel whilst undertaking work at height. The toy company was fined £200,000 and £10,483 in costs. The builder … Read More