27 April Catalogue of failures – including using crowbars to smash an asbestos roof Quainton Logistics and Storage had let conditions on site fall well below the expected standards, said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Workers use crowbars to smash asbestos roof Workers had not been given personal protective equipment and used crowbars to smash up asbestos cement roof sheets, which was then left on top of mobile … Read More
5 April Death at Work – Fine of £1.4 Million Tata Steel UK Limited (a steel producer) was were punished with a fine of £1.4 Million in February 2018 after the death at work of a 26-year-old maintenance electrician [TS]. Hull Crown Court heard how, on 23 April 2010, TS (an employee of Tata Steel) was examining a crane as part of his inspection duties … Read More
13 March Serious Fire Safety Breaches leads to Prosecution Serious fire safety breaches have led to a Scarborough hotel being prosecuted. Owing to the poor safety conditions that were evident, a Prohibition Notice was issued that prevented the use of the upper floors. An enforcement notice for remedial work to be completed was served with a deadline date that was missed by two months. Fire … Read More
17 December Silica dust exposure leads to fine Here is a report of yet another silica dust exposure fine being handed out by the courts after workers are exposed to hazardous silica dust. The London based contractor MY Construction & Carpentry Limited (MY) has been fined £40,000 after workers were exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that the company was undertaking … Read More
13 December Pothole fine of £250,000 Potholes cause injuries, but we too often treat them as “the norm”. During various site assessments, I have raised issues such as the one described below on numerous occasions. Some clients respond and deal with the matter (which seems sensible as they asked for the advice). Some choose to ignore it and occasionally deride the narrative … Read More
31 October Tank Explosion leads to £100,000 fine for an oil company An incident that occurred in January 2015 has led to a fine for an oil company. When contractors working for ESL Fuels Ltd cut into a sealed pipe using a grinder, there was an explosion. The pipe in question was attached to a tank and part of a waste oil recovery process at ESL fuels Ltd’s North … Read More
31 October The fire and rescue service is in crisis The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary Matt Wrack said: The fire and rescue service is in crisis. Seven years of budget cuts have left the public at greater risk as there are far fewer firefighters left to respond to emergencies. We’ve seen thousands of frontline firefighter posts axed and dozens of fire stations closed … Read More
2 October Culture of negligence results in Prison Sentences In a recently reported case, a culture of negligence resulted in prison sentences being given to two Company Directors. A litany of safety failings led to a recycling company and both of its directors being prosecuted and fined. How did this particular company and its management get it so wrong? A series of visits by the HSE … Read More
27 September Surprise safety inspections for the waste industry The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned the waste industry that it can expect unannounced safety inspections at sites from 02 October. This warning came after the HSE advised businesses in the waste and recycling industry that “they must pay closer attention” to how they manage workplace risk. It is part of a “proactive … Read More
6 September Step ladder fall leads to £1,000,000 fine A Hull-based bakery has been ordered to pay a fine of £1 Million after a self-employed contractor died when he fell from a stepladder. Hull Crown Court heard that the worker was contracted to complete electrical work at Greencore Grocery Ltd site in Hull in October 2013. The worker was wiring two motors for a new sugar … Read More