28 October Wood Dust Dangers lead to fine A Northwich furniture company has been fined £16,000 after it repeatedly failed to protect its employees from exposure to wood dust. Pineland Furniture Ltd, based on Witton Street in the Cheshire town, was inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on two separate occasions over a two-year period – with both identifying identical breaches. Nathan … Read More
22 May Selection and Control of Contractors The Selection and Control of Contractors is an area that some businesses do not devote enough time to, and do not understand their responsibilities fully. Reliance on the use of contractors has increased dramatically over recent years in most employment sectors. Organisations are increasingly concentrating on core activities and operations and are taking on contract staff for … 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
6 September Local Council fined after workers exposed to asbestos in a Primary School Asbestos in a Primary School – Kent County Council (KCC) was fined £200,000 after asbestos was disturbed at Lansdowne Primary School. Canterbury Crown Court heard how, in November 2014, an environmental health officer was carrying out a routine food inspection when they noticed what looked like an asbestos rope hanging from the ceiling. A prohibition notice … 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
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
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
27 March Gas Cylinder Fatality An unfortunate series of events led to a gas cylinder fatality – A worker died when one of 66 heavy argonite gas cylinders hit him as they were propelled at speeds of up to 170 mph after one toppled over, discharged high-pressure gas, which caused it to collide with others and set off a chain reaction. The fatal … Read More
24 February Jail for Director – following serious fire injury to worker Jail for Director of three construction companies (two of which have been dissolved and one is still active). The director has received an eight-month prison sentence and has been disqualified from being a director for seven years after his actions nearly resulted in the death of a worker. A 17-year-old employee was left with life-threatening … Read More