A contractor and a water management company have been fined after a worker was injured when he was hit by a 1.5 tonne water valve.  Newcastle upon Tyne Magistrates’ Court heard that on 5 June 2018, Northumbrian Water Limited had contracted JW Colpitts & Co Limited to connect a 1.5 tonne water valve in a confined chamber at Kielder Reservoir, Northumberland. The valve was suspended from a lorry mounted crane when it swung across the chamber and struck the worker. He sustained an open compound fracture of his tibia and fibula and was airlifted to hospital.

The Flemish government in Belgium has taken a risk-based approach to tackling the region’s huge asbestos legacy with an ambitious plan to become ‘asbestos-safe’ by 2040.   The decision was taken after the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) compared national and international studies, undertook sector enquiries and ran pilot projects, and emphasised the need for a more immediate and proactive approach.

Great Britain’s workplace regulator is asking demolition and construction firms to double-down on thorough planning, management and control of demolition and refurbishment work.  The HSE is asking that businesses properly plan, organise, manage, and monitor their work and use competent people to avoid incidents and ill health amongst their workers and the public.

A hazardous waste treatment company has been fined after an employee died when a forklift truck he was driving overturned and crushed him.  A worker, employed by Lanstar Ltd at Cadishead, Manchester, died because the company had failed to ensure its forklift trucks were being operated safely, Manchester Magistrates Court heard. The incident happened on 3 April 2017.

Shameful’ figures reveal more than a thousand serious injuries at Amazon sites have been reported to health and safety bodies since 2016, a GMB investigation has found.  Disturbingly, the number of injuries reported to health and safety bodies is rapidly increasing.  

A construction company and its groundworks contractor have been fined after unsafe excavation work left a worker with serious burns to his hand and arm.  High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court heard that, on the 2 August 2018, a  groundworker was preparing the ground to install a post to carry an Automatic Number Plate Recognition Camera (ANPRC), at Twyford near Reading, Berkshire.

A company, which manufactures self-adhesive vinyl and other coated plastic films has been fined after an employee’s hand became caught between two driven rollers and was pulled into the machine.  Newport Magistrates’ Court heard how on 25 July 2019.an employee of Kay Premium Marking Films Limited was attempting to clean glue off a roller within the slitter machine. His hand became caught within the mechanism of the machine and he sustained  a broken ulna, radius and elbow. As a result of the incident the employee underwent surgery to have his arm pinned and plated.

A glass and glazing company which installs and repairs glass windscreens and side windows to buses, coaches, motor homes and trains, has been fined for failing to adequately control the risk to its employees from using vibrating tools.  Reading Magistrates’ Court heard how employees of PSV Glass and Glazing Limited were required to use oscillating and reciprocating saws, known as Fein cutters, to remove the thick adhesive that had been used to secure the windows in place – sometimes for their entire shift. HSE received reports of 30 employees at the company being diagnosed with hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

As the festive season is in full swing, it is important to assess your legal responsibility for ensuring staff are not over the alcohol limit while at work – and ensure you have the resources so employees can safely carry out their work. SHP explores the issue.  

A food manufacturing company has been fined for safety breaches after a hygiene operative suffered a serious injury when his hand came into contact with a mixer.Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard how on 8 November 2019, the employee of Troy Foods (Salads) Ltd had his index finger severed after his left hand came into contact with a mixer whilst cleaning the door mechanism.