16 April The effect of COVID19 on Statutory Examinations I was asked recently: ”Where do I stand concerning statutory inspections such as my LOLER inspections for the forklift trucks? At the moment, all of my forklift trucks are running and are within date. Soon, the checks and inspections will fall due for some of my FLTs. What can I do about this?” Unsurprisingly, the answer … Read More
25 March HSE Safety Alert: Platform Lifts This HSE Safety Notice is aimed at: companies providing maintenance of platform lifts (vertical lifting platforms) and owners/operators of such platform lifts used by people with impaired mobility, installed at their premises. Information is provided for maintenance companies on: the risks from tampering with safety critical components (safety devices) and inappropriate or poor maintenance of … Read More
17 May Remember: Lorry Loading must be planned The £40,000 fine handed down to a scaffolding contractor serves as a reminder that even the simple act of Lorry Loading must be planned. Derby Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 22nd February 2016 at a site in Chaddesden, 24-year-old [LG] was injured while scaffold fittings were being loaded into bins on the back of a … Read More
22 September Lone worker death – £1 Million fine Recently, I have been asked to put together a range of training courses for some overseas clients. One was to deal with Lone Working, and another was to deal (partly) with Lifting Operations involving awkwardly sized and shaped objects. While thinking about these courses, along comes the following news article. In this article, both of these issues … 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
16 November Cold Weather Forklift truck safety Cold Weather Forklift truck safety – For many businesses, forklifts are an essential piece of material handling equipment that they cannot do without. Whether you work in warehousing, construction, many areas of production, transportation or a myriad of other fields, forklifts trucks can make life safer and easier for both you and your employees. Winter … Read More
25 June Health and Safety Failings – Lifting equipment incident leads to prosecution Lifting equipment incident leads to prosecution Key Facts: An incident involving inappropriate lifting equipment left a worker with life changing injuries. A four-tonne piling hammer struck him, whilst it was being moved into position. Both his employer and the principal contractor on the project were prosecuted, each receiving a £19,000 fine, plus costs. Read More
23 June Health and Safety Failings – Series of safety failings lead to fatal accident Series of safety failings lead to fatal accident Key Facts: A series of safety failings led to the death of a 42-year-old delivery driver at a steel firm in Sheffield. The driver was fatally struck by 3 tonnes of steel tubes in an unsuccessful unloading attempt. The company were fined £62,000 plus costs of £38,000 … 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
9 March Health and Safety Failings – LOLER breach leads to worker losing leg LOLER breach leads to worker losing leg Key Facts: 49-year-old factory worker struck by 850kg frame Frame fell two metres before landing on worker’s leg following LOLER breach Due to resulting injuries, worker’s left leg needed to be amputated Two firms fined nearly £50,000 and costs following HSE investigation Read More