28 July Prosecution: Joiners fined for failing to protect workers The importance of understanding risks and keeping workers safe is highlighted in a recent breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act et Act 1974, in which wood dust and electrical risks were uncovered during a surprise inspection. Ensuring risk assessments are in place to identify hazards and ensure the control measures in place … Read More
29 April Electrical burns to a demolition worker Two companies have been fined after a worker received serious electrical burns during demolition work. The Magistrates’ Court in Chelmsford heard how in April 2017 two demolition workers employed by a sub-contractor (R B Haigh & Sons) were removing electrical distribution equipment from a switchgear room at the former Molecular Products site in Thaxted, Essex. … Read More
20 October Health and Safety Failings – Firm fined after death of trainee design engineer Firm fined after death of trainee design engineer Key Facts: A trainee design engineer lost his life after coming into contact with a live electrical system An HSE investigation found an unsafe system of work to have caused the worker’s death The company was fined £300,000 plus costs of £115,000. Read More
9 September Food Company Fined After Worker Electrocuted | Health & Safety Food company fined after worker electrocuted Key Facts: A 21-year-old worker was electrocuted after coming into contact with live cabling in a food company’s loft. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the ambulance crew. The food company was fined £170,000 and ordered to pay costs of £35,403. Read More
12 June Unsafe electricity work fines for two companies | Health & Safety Unsafe electricity work leads to fines for two companies Key Facts: Two men suffered severe burns whilst working on a live electricity distribution board. A capacitor from the distribution board fell onto a live conductor whilst they were working on it, causing an electrical flashover. The employing company and the company in charge of the … Read More
12 March Health and Safety Failings – Fine issued for multiple health and safety failings Fine issued for multiple health and safety failings Key Facts: The site was in such a dangerous condition that 8 notices were immediately issued by the visiting health and safety inspector Dangers included unguarded dangerous machinery, exposure to risk of electrocution, and asbestos contamination. HSE inspector said that the standards were “totally inadequate” and that … Read More
15 January Health and Safety Newsletter for Jan 2015 Follow this link to see a copy of this months health and safety newsletter. This is our first Health and Safety Newsletter for a brand new year. If you have ideas for future articles or subjects that you would like to see covered this year, please let me know. We look forward to supporting you through … Read More
20 December Electrical Safety In this blog article, we look at some of the questions that are concerning employers about electricity in the workplace. Consideration needs to be given to the system that we plug into (the fixed electrical installation) as well as what we plug in (portable electrical equipment). In both cases, testing should be carried out by … Read More
24 November Construction Safety Electrical Cable cut through Construction Safety Electrical Cable cut through – a worker survives after cutting through a live mains cable. A construction company has been fined £2,000 and made to pay £980 in fees after they were found guilty of failing to identify live mains cables under the CDM regulations 2007. The company was clearing the site to … Read More
20 December Accidents and Consequences With an increase in the number of recorded workplace fatalities, accidents and consequences, Mike Ellerby this month looks at the some of the commonest causes of workplace fatalities and considers what companies can do to help to prevent these and to protect their employees and their businesses. Read More