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.

A farming partnership has been fined after a farm worker was fatally injured following an incident involving a telehandler within the pig barn.  Weston Super Mare Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 17 October 2019, Mr Andrew Denning, a self-employed farm worker, was helping with the mucking-out and animal welfare checks inside a large pig shed.

HSE has guidance on talking with your workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. UK government advice is that, from 13 December, those who can work from home should do so. Anyone who cannot  work from home should continue to go to the workplace.  As an employer, you have the same health and safety responsibilities for people working at home as for any other worker.

Main contractor Abercorn Construction has been fined after an unannounced HSE inspection found poor welfare standards, dangerous electrical systems and inadequate health and safety provision on a major residential site.  Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how concerns had been raised regarding the health and safety standards at the construction site of the former Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock in the city where renovation work is ongoing to luxury apartments.

Main contractor Abercorn Construction has been fined after an unannounced HSE inspection found poor welfare standards, dangerous electrical systems and inadequate health and safety provision on a major residential site.  Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how concerns had been raised regarding the health and safety standards at the construction site of the former Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock in the city where renovation work is ongoing to luxury apartments.