18 June HSE Campaign – Workplace Dust HSE Inspection Campaign HSE inspectors will, over the next few weeks, be focusing some of their time and effort on construction, woodworking and food manufacturing where occupational lung diseases, including in some cases occupational cancers, are more common. They will be asking what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the … Read More
9 December Cautioned Interview Guidelines Cautioned Interview Guidelines – Facing a Cautioned Interview for Health and Safety or Food Hygiene Matters In this short piece, Peter Phillips (a Senior Health and Safety Consultant with LRB Consulting Limited and an ex-EHO (Environmental Health Officer) gives you some sage advice on what to do if you are invited to a Cautioned Interview … Read More
2 February Ignoring a Prohibition Notice leads to fine and suspended sentence The Managing Director of a skip fabrication company was caught using a piece of equipment that was subject to an HSE prohibition notice only two hours after the inspector’s visit in which the equipment was condemned. Unsurprisingly, he was fined for ignoring a Prohibition Notice and was also given a suspended sentence. MH, who ran … Read More
20 January HSE Inspections 2017 (respiratory sensitisers and/or carcinogens) According to the HSE website, here is some information about HSE inspections 2017:From January 2017 inspectors will be targeting sites that carry out metal fabrication looking at the control of exposure to welding fume and metalworking fluids. Information on controlling the risks from these hazardous substances can be found through the inspection programme link above. … Read More
18 January Health and Safety Failings – Communications firm fined Communications firm fined Key Facts An HSE investigation was launched into a communications firm after a worker suffered serious injuries after being struck by a bus. The subsequent HSE investigation found that safe systems of work had not been maintained at the work site. The communication firm was find £12,000 and ordered to pay full … Read More
2 December Agricultural firm fined for machinery injury | Health & Safety Agricultural firm fined after machinery injury Key Facts An agricultural firm have been fined after a 16-year-old on work experience suffered severe hand injuries after coming into contact with working machinery. The HSE found that no risk assessment had been carried out, and safe systems of work were not in place for the young worker’s … Read More
30 November Health and Safety Failings – Timber firm fined after apprentice loses finger Timber firm fined after apprentice loses finger Key Facts: A timber firm have been prosecuted after a worker’s hand caught in machinery The HSE identified key safety failings, included a lack of guarding and safe systems of work. The timber firm was fined £18,000 plus costs of £844.50. Read More
26 November Health and Safety Failings – Borough Council Fined For Asbestos Exposure Borough Council Fined For Asbestos Exposure Key Facts A borough council have been fined for knowingly exposing workers to asbestos. Two asbestos surveys had identified the presence of asbestos in the Town Hall basement, but no plan was put in place for managing the risk. They were issued an Improvement Notice and fined £66,000 plus … Read More
17 November Health and Safety Failings – Fair Ride Incident Leads To Prosecution Fair Ride Incident Leads To Prosecution Key Facts: And HSE investigation was launched after a child was injured in a fair ride accident. A number of failings were identified, and a Prohibition Notice and Improvement Notice were served. The fair ride owner was fined £1500 plus costs. Read More
16 November Health and Safety Failings – Home builder fined after worker injured Home builder fined after worker injured Key Facts: A national home builder has been fined after an employee was injured in a fall from height. The worker was seriously injured when a platform he was working on gave way. The firm was fined £35,000 plus costs. Read More