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
20 March Health and Safety Failings – Lift malfunction at London’s Tower Bridge leads to prosecution Lift Malfunction at London’s Tower Bridge leads to prosecution Key Facts: A lift carrying 9 tourists and 1 agency worker plummeted 3 metres following a lift malfunction. The ‘catastrophic failing’ could have been avoided through proper review of earlier failings. The lift maintenance firm was fined £50,000 and costs of £50,000. Read More
3 March NHS Trust in court over asbestos find NHS Trust in court over asbestos find Key Facts: Asbestos is the biggest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK Asbestos fibres were found in several areas of an NHS Trust basement Recommendations following an earlier asbestos survey were not acted upon The Trust were fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £696 in costs Read More
29 January Asbestos exposure – a UK and world-wide problem Asbestos exposure is a major cause of death and serious ill health. Asbestos is made up of thin fibres. These can break down into much smaller and thinner fibres. The smallest fibres cannot be seen with the naked eye but they can be breathed in. Asbestos fibres are only dangerous if they are made airborne and breathed in, but … Read More
20 December International Health and Safety Training Over the last year, I have become more involved in the delivery of international health and safety training courses. Much of this has been training delivered in the Gulf Region (including Dubai (in the United Arab Emirates) and in Oman), with a series of Webinars providing health and safety training services into the American Market. … Read More
20 December Slips, Trips and Falls Slips, trips and falls – what are the common reasons for them? There are many reasons for slips, trips and falls. The most common reasons are associated with: the floor contamination on the floor (or footwear) obstacles on the floor cleaning of the floors damaged flooring missing handrails inappropriate footwear environmental factors, such as: poor … Read More
18 October Corporate Manslaughter – case involving an apprentice A 16-year-old boy died after suffering head injuries after he became trapped in a lathe at a Greater Manchester factory. The 16 year old apprentice (Cameron Minshull) died after the incident at a factory in Huntley Mount Road in Bury in 2013. He started with the Company on 03 December 2012 and the incident that … Read More
29 November Landlords Fire Safety Landlords Fire Safety – What do I need to do? The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the FSO) brought the common parts of blocks of flats within the scope of mainstream fire safety legislation for the first time. The FSO imposes duties on persons who may include freeholders, landlords, managing agents and contractors who … Read More
28 November Fire Safety Awareness Training Course Next Fire Safety Awareness Training Course: TBA Cost: £65 per person, plus VAT 1/2 Day course – Call 01509 550023 Fire Safety training is a must for all organisations. Protect your staff, your premises and your business with some simple lessons learned through our excellent training. This half day Fire Safety Training course includes hands-on use … Read More
2 September A Brief History of Health and Safety This article was written by an Administrator working within the business and is their account of the development of UK health and safety legislation. Working within the consultancy over the past few months I have gained an insight into the world of Health and Safety as it is today, and with this knowledge, I have … Read More