The owner of one of the UK's largest power stations has denied risking workers' health by exposing them to wood dust.  Drax Power Ltd, based near Selby, North Yorkshire, is accused of two breaches of health and safety legislation.

A commercial vehicle servicing and repair company has been fined after two workers suffered serious burns when flammable brake cleaning fluid ignited causing a fire.  Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard how on 27 March 2020 two employees used brake cleaning fluid to clean the grease from the walls of a vehicle inspection pit in the workshop. Shortly after they had finished cleaning the walls there was a loud bang and the entire wall of the pit where the brake cleaner had been applied became engulfed in flames.

A self-employed tree surgeon has been fined after a 16-year-old employee suffered serious injuries following a chainsaw incident. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how on 19 March 2018, at a domestic property in Glasgow, self-employed Dominic Di Pasquale, trading as Treetops Tree Surgeons, was using a chainsaw to fell trees and then remove the branches, while his employee collected the sections.

Two companies have been fined following an incident where a security guard died after being found lying face down and hypothermic, in deep snow, at a remote hillside in Ayrshire.  Ayr Sheriff Court heard that just after midnight on 22 January 2018, Ronald (Ronnie) Alexander, a 74-year-old security guard employed by Corporate Service Management Limited, was found by Police Scotland’s Mountain Rescue Team at Afton Windfarm, a remote site near New Cumnock. Mr Alexander died later that day having never regained consciousness.

This week is Road Safety Week. At DVLA, we take road safety very seriously – one of the ways we do this is by ensuring drivers meet the vision standards required by law to drive. This involves assessing drivers with visual disorders and encouraging all road users to regularly check their own eyesight.  As the dark winter months draw near, it’s important to be aware that fewer daylight hours and poor weather can lead to reduced visibility when driving. Therefore, meeting the minimum eyesight standard for driving is essential for being safe on the road.

A company has been fined after an employee was struck by an excavator and fatally crushed.  A crusher was being prepared for use following transportation from another quarry to Leiths (Scotland) Ltd, Kishorn Quarry, Nr Strathcarron, Wester-Ross, Scotland, in May 2017, Inverness Sheriff Court was told. Pawel Kocik was struck by a quick hitch on the dipper arm of an excavator and crushed between the quick hitch and side of the feed hopper of a mobile crusher.

Annually, approximately 40,000 people at work will be involved in a road traffic collision which result in reported injuries, and countless others will suffer stress, anxiety and/or minor injuries from unreported incidents. This makes work-related road risk (WRRR) a priority area in the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Logistics and Transport Sector Plan, according to Mark Liddle, Scientist at Health & Safety Laboratory.

Hereford Galvanizers Limited, a company that undertakes hot dip galvanizing for the corrosion protection of steelwork, has been fined after an employee was fatally injured.  Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court heard that on 2 February 2019, an employee was operating an overhead crane adjacent to the molten zinc bath, when a tubular steel brace exploded during galvanizing, causing it to ‘rocket’ across the workshop floor, fatally striking the employee who was standing in its path.

A concrete supplier has been fined after an agency worker contracted to work at its site suffered fatal injuries following a tyre explosion.  Dudley Magistrates’ Court heard how the contractor suffered fatal injuries when using an air hose/compressed air to inflate the tyre of an articulated wheel loader.  An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, on 28 March 2019, found that the company failed to have in place a safe system of work for inflation of the multi-piece split rim assembly wheels on the articulated wheel loader.

Take part in Road Safety Week to show that you're a responsible organisation that puts people first and cares about their safety.  By taking part in Road Safety Week, you can show that you are a responsible employer who puts people first and cares about their safety. Whether your employees drive for work or for personal use, it's a great opportunity to show staff, customers, suppliers and the wider community that road safety is embedded in your culture.