25 August Life changing injuries A 21-year-old worker has been left with life changing injuries, and the Company has been fined. Devonshire based textile company Heathcoat Fabrics Limited has been fined after a 21-year old employee suffered life changing injuries (to his hand). In August 2014, AS was preparing a piece of machinery for the next shift. During this operation, his … Read More
18 August HSE are very active on Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) I have been approached recently by a few engineering companies as a result of HSE actions. In line with the HSE inspection regime, these are now more focused on Health Issues instead of the more traditional safety issues, such as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Noise, inhalation of hazardous fumes and dust. In addition to these … Read More
4 July Conveyor Safety – Agency Worker Injured Breadmakers Warburtons Ltd has been fined £1.9 million after an agency worker was injured when his arm got trapped against a running conveyor belt. The Crown Court in Nottingham heard how on 4 August 2015 the agency worker was cleaning parts of the bread line when his arm got trapped leaving him with friction burns which … 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
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
9 February Health and Safety Failings – Mower Injury Results In Fine Mower Injury Results In Fine Key Facts A housing trust employee suffered severe hand injuries whilst trying to unblock a ride-on mower The HSE investigation found that safe systems of work had not been established for use of the mower The housing trust was fined £140,000 plus costs. Read More
9 December Food Firm Fined After Worker Loses Fingers | Health & Safety Food Firm Fined After Worker Loses Fingers Key Facts: A food firm have been prosecuted after a worker was injured. An employee severed two fingers after coming into contact with unguarded machinery. The subsequent HSE investigation uncovered several health and safety failings. The firm was fined £40,000 plus costs. 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