22 June Asbestos failures lead (again) to substantial fines A building contractor has been fined after failing to carry out the correct procedures after asbestos was found during the refurbishment of a building at Bedford School in Bedford. Asbestos failures included the lack of a demolition/refurbishment survey and failure to manage asbestos after it was disturbed. Luton Crown Court heard how on 11 August … Read More
6 June Lack of a Safe System of Work leads to fatal crushing In many cases, the safety of workers using potentially dangerous equipment can be achieved by the use of a suitable Safe System of Work. Conversely, the lack of a safe system of work can lead to serious (and even fatal) consequences. Unfortunately, in a recent case waste paper management company has been fined £250,000 after an employee … 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
14 May Captive Key duplicate leads to Interlock guard bypass – Maintenance Fitter Killed A maintenance fitter died after he was trapped in a conveyor used a spare captive key (part of a safety interlock) to access a guarded enclosure and work on the machinery while it was still powered up. The use of the spare key led to the interlock guard bypass which led to the fatality. The … Read More
8 May Grenfell Tower Inquiry – Phase 1 dates have been announced The Grenfell Tower Inquiry hearings schedule has been announced Phase one will focus on the factual narrative of the events of the night of 14 June 2017. This will include: the existing fire safety and prevention measures at Grenfell Tower where and how the fire started the development of the fire and smoke how the fire … Read More
2 May Forged asbestos documents leads to fine and suspended jail sentence Forged documents led to prosecution: fines and suspended sentences In April 2018, an asbestos removal company and two of its managers were prosecuted after forging documents in order to obtain an asbestos licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, between 16 March 2012 and 10 March 2016, Excavation … 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
5 April Death at Work – Fine of £1.4 Million Tata Steel UK Limited (a steel producer) was were punished with a fine of £1.4 Million in February 2018 after the death at work of a 26-year-old maintenance electrician [TS]. Hull Crown Court heard how, on 23 April 2010, TS (an employee of Tata Steel) was examining a crane as part of his inspection duties … Read More
13 March Serious Fire Safety Breaches leads to Prosecution Serious fire safety breaches have led to a Scarborough hotel being prosecuted. Owing to the poor safety conditions that were evident, a Prohibition Notice was issued that prevented the use of the upper floors. An enforcement notice for remedial work to be completed was served with a deadline date that was missed by two months. Fire … Read More
17 December Silica dust exposure leads to fine Here is a report of yet another silica dust exposure fine being handed out by the courts after workers are exposed to hazardous silica dust. The London based contractor MY Construction & Carpentry Limited (MY) has been fined £40,000 after workers were exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that the company was undertaking … Read More