7 May Process Start-up is a Dangerous Time (again) Following a problem in the process start-up, styrene gas was released at a chemical, plant in India. At least 13 people have died and nearly 1,000 have fallen sick after a cloud of toxic styrene gas leaked out of an Indian industrial plant in the small hours of Thursday morning. Distressing images on social media … 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
11 September New School closes due to Safety Concerns It is not great to read that a School closes due to Safety Concerns. This is disruptive to the pupils and immensely frustrating to their families. A brand new, state-of-the-art School in Dumfries has closed on safety grounds, just a month after opening. This follows two safety incidents at the North West Community Campus. In the … Read More
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
7 April Fire and explosion at an oil refinery leads to £1.65 Million fine The oil and gas industry around the world has been responsible for many serious incidents of fire and explosion, some of which have claimed lives and some of which has resulted only in property damage. Start up is a notoriously dangerous time in the process safety of the plant. In this case, Liverpool Crown Court was told that … Read More
24 March Death of a Contractor The death of a contractor has resulted in a large fine for Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited. The self-employed contractor fell from a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) and later died from his injuries after a conveyor was started. In March 2015, the contractor had been working at the height of nearly five metres installing revised fire … Read More
15 September Health and Safety Failings: Engineering firm fined after worker loses finger Health and Safety in the Engineering Workplace A Hampshire engineering firm was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay £2,222.37 after a worker lost a finger in a lathe machine, underscoring the critical importance of prioritising Health and Safety in the Engineering Workplace. Key Facts An engineering firm have been fined after a worker severed one … Read More
13 September Health and Safety Failings: Diecasting firm fined after worker suffers severe burns Diecasting firm fined after worker suffers severe burns Key Facts An aluminium diecasting firm have been fined after a worker was seriously injured after becoming trapped in a machine The employee suffered a cardiac arrest and fourth degree burns The firm was fined £140,000 plus costs. Read More
12 September Health and Safety Failings – School fined £40,000 after fall from height School fined £40,000 after fall from height Key Facts A school have been fined after a worker fell from height A member of a maintenance team suffered injuries after falling from a roof in the school grounds The school were fined £40,000 plus costs. Read More
14 July Health And Safety Failings – Lifting equipment leads to £90,000 fine Lifting equipment leads to £90,000 fine Key Facts A Wrexham based coach firm have been prosecuted for failing to comply with LOLER regulations. The subsequent HSE investigation found that the company had at least 14 items with outstanding LOLER examinations. They were fined £90,000 plus costs of £3,068. Read More