Health and Safety News
We scour the Internet for Health and Safety related news items on an almost daily basis.
The news articles and clippings, curated by MD Safety, highlight the requirements for compliance with UK Health and Safety Legislation and best practice across all industry sectors.
The majority of the information and cases will apply to a greater or lesser degree to our broad range of Clients and lessons to be learned will be able to be gained.
Contractor fined after pedestrian dies in its trench
M&S Water Services (Utilities) Ltd was excavating a footpath on Devon Road, Luton to access a stop tap that needed replacing. The stop tap could not be reached by hand and so it was left protected by plastic barriers until a deep dig team could attend a few days later. Luton Crown Court heard that on 28th May 2017, over a bank holiday weekend, a member of the public, Matthew Wilmot, was walking home when he fell into the excavation site. His body was found the next morning.
Read MoreConstruction suicide rates on the increase
Glasgow Caledonian University analysed suicide statistics from 2015 to 2019 and found that the number per 100,000 for construction workers rose from 26 to 29 over the four years. The issue is most acute for construction’s unskilled and blue collar workers, where the suicide rate increased from 48 to just over 73 per 100,000.
Read MoreWarehouse management company fined after employee killed in electrical incident
A warehouse management solutions company has been fined after an employee was electrocuted while servicing an air compressor. Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard that on 8 December 2017, Andrew Meade was carrying out pre-planned maintenance on an air compressor at a distribution centre in Gravesend, when he was electrocuted. He was not found for more than an hour following the incident. His injuries were fatal.
Read MoreCompany fined after a worker was injured by a forklift truck
A facility services company operating at Winchester prison has been fined after a worker suffered a broken leg when he was struck by a forklift truck (FLT). Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard that on 23 May 2019, the Gov Facility Services Limited employee was injured whilst carrying out inspections of drain covers adjacent to a workshop. He was struck by a FLT, breaking the bone in his right leg.
Read MoreHull manufacturer fined £60,000 after man loses arm in horrific factory accident
A worker lost his arm in a horrific accident at a machine manufacturer near Driffield in which he nearly lost his life. Agricultural machines manufacturer Superior Machines Ltd has been fined tens of thousands of pounds for safety breaches after the 68-year-old man became entangled in a machine.
Read MoreManufacturing company fined after workers exposed to asbestos
Power Link Machines (UK) Ltd was sentenced for safety breaches after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was informed the company was using gaskets within its generator sets that contained asbestos. Analysis by HSE’s Science Division confirmed the gaskets contained asbestos. The company was served with a Prohibition Notice on 26 March 2018 requiring them to stop the use of these gaskets and ensure that they did not import any asbestos containing items.
Read MoreSTIHL TS 410 & TS 420 product recall
STIHL has learnt that a limited number of TS 410 and TS 420 cut-off machines in the below noted serial number range were assembled with the flywheel-to-crankshaft connection over-tightened. Overtightening of this connection may damage the flywheel, which could cause the flywheel to fail and break apart while the engine is running. A failure during the operation of the machine would pose a projectile hazard to the user or a bystander. A damaged flywheel is not apparent from a visual inspection.
Read MoreHigh school fined after child is fatally injured
A high school in Chelmsford has been fined after a young child died after a locker in a changing room fell on top of him. Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that on the 23 May 2019, nine-year-old Leo Latifi was fatally injured when he attended an after-school swimming lesson at the sports centre of Great Baddow High School.
Read MoreBritish Airways fined £1.8m after worker was crushed by baggage trolley
Airline giant British Airways has been fined £1.8 million for ‘significant failings’ in the general management of supervision and monitoring, risk assessment and training. On 16 March 2018, an employee was pulling a train of dollies, which are vehicles used to transport baggage around the airport. She was using the centre of the roadway between the two lanes, pictured above, as a walking route.
Read MoreCovid: Employers can put self-isolating staff on furlough
Employers can claim from the furlough scheme for staff who are self-isolating. The entitlement exists despite government guidance stating it is not what the scheme is intended for. The little-known entitlement was first reported by Politico magazine after emails from civil servants complaining about government guidance were leaked.
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