29 August Confined space triple fatality Reporting on fatality is sad; reporting on a Confined space triple fatality is even. Although this tragedy occurred in America, it could so easily be a report about a UK incident. This confined space tragedy happened in South Florida and claimed the lives of three workers – two of them were “would-be rescuers”. Two companies were taken … Read More
24 August Use of highly flammable liquids leads to a DSEAR fine for paper company A paper coating company has been fined after a worker suffered burns following a fire on a coating machine. Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard how an Olympic Varnish Company Limited employee suffered burn injuries following a fire caused by the use of highly flammable liquid to clean rollers on a coating machine. An investigation by the HSE into … Read More
26 July Asbestos Failures lead to fines of more than £1,000,000 Once more, a large fine is imposed on companies that fail to manage the health risks to their workers (and others) from potential exposure to asbestos properly. Asbestos failures mean that three companies have together been fined more than £1,000,000 after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest. The Southwark Crown … Read More
12 June Another Roof Safety Failure Another roof safety failure has resulted in a roofing company being fined for safety failings related to working at height. The fine related to the lack of precautions taken rather than to an injury or accident. Brighton Magistrates Court heard how numerous concerns were raised by members of the public about work being carried out … Read More
7 June Roof works fall from height A fall from height during roof repair works leads to prosecution and fine – a Stranraer based groundwork company was fined after a worker fell more than seven metres through a fragile roof. The Stranraer Sheriff Court today heard the 42-year-old had been sub-contracted by McKeown Groundworks Limited, to carry out roof repairs on a … Read More
5 June Hotel fined for Fire Safety Failures The Central Hotel (in Golders Green, London) has been fined £20,000 for a range of fire safety offences, including the lack of a fire risk assessment, and the absence of smoke alarms and emergency lighting. The Hoop Lane Trust (owners of the Central Hotel) was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to five offences … Read More
2 June Fire safety failures Fire safety failures resulted in a corporate landlord and its management company being handed a large fine. They both failed to carry out a fire risk assessment for an apartment building, which was destroyed after a fire broke out. Property owner Crownpark Investments, along with City Estates (who managed the six-floor terraced house conversion in … Read More
22 May Workers exposed to asbestos Workers exposed to asbestos – all persons who have control of the repair and maintenance of non-domestic premises need to ensure that the correct control measures are put in place to prevent exposure to asbestos, so far as is reasonably practicable (based on Section 4 of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974). … Read More
22 May Contractor imprisoned for failing to prevent exposure to Asbestos Demolition contractor imprisoned after admitting illegally removing asbestos from a building he was working on. David William Briggs, trading as Briggs Demolition was found to have ignored an asbestos survey while demolishing the former Oakbank Training Centre in Chadderton, Oldham. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard also failed to prevent exposure to asbestos to workers and others on … Read More
19 April handheld mobile phone It is well established that drivers should pay attention to what they are doing. With respect to mobile phones, penalties for drivers who use their mobile phone while driving doubled on 01 March 2017. The penalty for a driver caught using their phone has recently increased to six points on their licence and a fine … Read More