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.
Sole trader sentenced after worker sustains serious injuries in fall from height
Sole trader, Ian Pitman, has been fined after a sub-contractor fell five metres through a sky light onto a concrete floor. Bristol Magistrates’ Court heard how on 20 July 2017 a man working for Ian Pitman was renewing the guttering between two buildings in Chipping Sodbury in Bristol. While fitting a roof panel back into place he fell backwards through a sky light, hitting the rail of a lift truck below and landing on the concrete floor. He suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull and broken ribs.
Read MoreNew emergency text alerts to be trialled
A new emergency alert text system will be trialled this summer before being rolled out across the UK. Warnings will be sent directly to people's phones in the event a risk to life, such as flooding or fire. Similar systems exist in other countries, including New Zealand, 'where it has been widely credited with saving lives,' the government said.
Read MoreMental Health Awareness Week - Nature
Some top tips on how you can build your own connection with nature.
Read MoreSafe use rules for automated vehicles on British roads set out by Government
A Government consultation has set out proposals to amend The Highway Code in order to create rules on the safe use of automated vehicles on Britain’s motorways. The Safe Use Rules for Automated Vehicles consultation is an outcome requirement of the August 2020 call for evidence on ensuring safe use of Automated Lane Keeping Systems.
Read MoreBuilder receives custodial sentence for failing to report an incident where a worker was seriously injured
A builder has been imprisoned for 24 weeks after he failed to report a serious incident at a construction site he was in charge of. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that on 8 January 2019, worker Simon Lewis had been clearing a site on Clarence Avenue, New Malden with an excavator so a new house could be built.
Read MoreTwo construction companies fined after worker seriously injured in excavation collapse
Auberne Homes Limited and groundworks contractor W & E Lammie have been fined after an employee of W & E Lammie was crushed and severely injured during an excavation collapse. Ayr Sherriff Court heard that, on 20 February 2018, employees of W & E Lammie were carrying out drainage works within an excavation at a construction site at Holmhead Gardens, Cumnock, when a section of the unsupported wall of the excavation collapsed and crushed one of the employees, causing serious injuries.
Read MoreHealth and Safety Executive inspections focus on occupational lung disease
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is inspecting fabricated metal businesses across Great Britain to check that they are managing the respiratory risks of welding fumes and metalworking fluids. From today, World Asthma Day 2021, health and safety inspectors across GB will be targeting businesses whose workers undertake welding and use metalworking fluids to check that they are complying with the welding fumes guidance and metalworking fluid guidance. During the visits, dutyholders will need to demonstrate they have measures in place to manage risks to protect their workers from occupational lung disease and ‘WorkRight’ to keep workers healthy and safe.
Read MoreSubstation fire leads to £700,000 fine for Network Rail
Network Rail has been prosecuted for failing to prevent water leaking into a substation and failing to maintain dehumidifiers installed inside for more than nine months, which led to a serious fire. The UK government-owned rail operator was fined £696,666 last week after an employee was seriously injured with third-degree and mixed depth burns in the inferno.
Read MoreBilston builders fined for height safety failings
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors made a routine visit to a construction site in Redditch on 8th October 2019 following a report of a fall from height. During the inspection there was evidence of poor management of work at height, and numerous other uncontrolled site safety risks. This included unsafe work on a flat roof where there was no edge protection to prevent a fall from height, even though there had been a fall from the same roof eight days earlier.
Read MoreHarvey Tyrrell death: Pub owner jailed over boy's electrocution death
A pub owner has been jailed after admitting responsibility for the death of a seven-year-old boy who was electrocuted in a beer garden. Harvey Tyrrell suffered a huge electric shock when he touched 'defective' lighting at the King Harold in Romford, east London, on 11 September 2018. David Bearman, 73, pleaded guilty to Harvey's manslaughter and to stealing electricity from an unmetered supply.
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