13 June (Yet another) fatal injury arsing from a fall from height Work at height can be very dangerous. As a result, the work needs to be planned and suitable control measures put in place to avoid what can only be termed as “wholly avoidable accidents” Two contractors have been fined after a worker suffers a fatal injury following a fragile roof fall during construction work. Wolverhampton … Read More
20 March Construction failures – directors jailed Construction failures – directors jailed A Greater Manchester construction company (SR and RJ Brown Ltd) has been fined £300,000 for Corporate Manslaughter, and two of its directors have been jailed for 20 months after covering up the events that led to a worker’s death. The directors attempted to cover up events after the death of a worker. The court … Read More
24 February Jail for Director – following serious fire injury to worker Jail for Director of three construction companies (two of which have been dissolved and one is still active). The director has received an eight-month prison sentence and has been disqualified from being a director for seven years after his actions nearly resulted in the death of a worker. A 17-year-old employee was left with life-threatening … 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
18 August Forklift Truck Accident Leads To Prosecution | Health & Safety Forklift Truck Accident Leads to Prosecution Key Facts: An HSE investigation was launched after an employee was dragged under a forklift truck’s rear wheel. The employee sustained serious injuries as a result of the accident. Several key safety failings were identified in the ensuing HSE investigation. The firm and its director were prosecuted, being ordered to … Read More
16 June Health and Safety Failings – Director prosecuted after contractor suffers fatal fall Director prosecuted after contractor suffers fatal fall Key Facts: Director prosecuted after a self-employed worker fell to his death from the roof of a South Devon animal crematorium. A number of health and safety failings were identified that could have prevented the fatal fall. The director prosecuted for breaching health and safety regulations and fined … Read More
18 May Simply Put – Driving forces for good health and safety Driving forces for good health and safety There are many things that might drive companies to provide good health and safety in the workplace. In this article, we look at some of the main Health and Safety driving forces. Read More
15 May Health and Safety Failings – Care home in court after death of resident Care home in court after death of resident Key Facts: A 100-year-old resident suffered a fatal fall whilst being moved by care home staff. Several safety failings were identified including a lack of risk management, lack of training, and a history of improvement notices. The company and its director were both prosecuted, being ordered to … Read More
13 March Health and Safety Failings – Fine issued following excavation collapse Fine issued following excavation collapse Key Facts: Building firm owner was left partially buried, and broke his leg and ankle in excavation collapse The HSE inspector described him as being ‘reckless with the lives of his employees’. The director and the firm were both fined £15,000 each, as well as being ordered to pay £1,176 … Read More
10 February Corporate Manslaughter prosecution, fine, suspended sentence and publicity order Corporate Manslaughter prosecution following a fall through a fragile roof. Following the fatal fall through a fragile roof in 2011, a building firm was sentenced by Preston Crown Court in February after it pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter. Following their investigation, the HSE said that the company did nothing to make sure that the worker (Jason Pennington) was … Read More