Scaffolding company and director fined following ‘avoidable’ fall from height fatality

Wembley Scaffolding Services Limited has been fined following an incident where a worker fell five metres and suffered a fatal head injury. HSE adjudged that no suitable risk assessment was carried out prior to the incident.  On 16 February 2017, two operatives were dismantling a scaffold on Cricklewood Broadway, London, during this process the scaffold collapsed resulting in one of the operatives falling at least five metres onto a concrete pavement, causing serious head injuries. He later died from these injuries on 4 March 2017.

£2m fine after fatal incident at manufacturing site

‘It is not good enough for companies to assume they are doing all they can to control the risk just because there have been no previous incidents,’ says HSE after a specialist industrial services company worker suffered a fatal injury.  On 18 June 2017, Joseph McDonald, an employee of Leadec Limited, was using high-pressure water jetting equipment to clear paint residue from pipes in the paint shop at a car manufacturing site in Solihull. During the process Mr McDonald was struck by the end of flexi-lance, causing a fatal injury.

Comment: How to keep your drivers safe and fleets protected post-lockdown

As a fleet manager, the safety of your drivers is always priority number one. You are responsible for keeping your business fleet protected and mobile at all times, ensuring that each driver has the necessary tools and training he or she needs to carry out their job in a secure and efficient manner.  It can be a daunting task, particularly when you consider the severity of the health and safety risks involved. What’s more since the start of lockdown at the end of March, roads across the UK have become increasingly hazardous environments.

Facilities management company fined after an employee was crushed

Facilities management company, Totally Local Company Ltd, has been fined after an employee suffered serious injuries when they were crushed between a ride-on-roller and shipping container during footpath improvement works.  Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, on Friday 30th November 2018, an employee of Totally Local Company Ltd was seriously injured when a ride-on roller, driven by another employee, reversed into him as he was attempting to lock up a vehicle container.

George Partridge: MoD admits safety breaches in diving death

Drivers who kill others could receive life sentences under new laws

Drivers who kill others after speeding, racing or using a phone could receive life sentences under new legislation.  Those who cause death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs could also get a life sentence. The current maximum sentence for each crime is 14 years.

Cleaning your workplace to reduce risk from coronavirus (COVID-19)

As an employer, you must protect people from harm. This includes taking reasonable steps to protect your workers and others from coronavirus.  Coronavirus can transfer from people to surfaces. It can be passed on to others who touch the same surfaces. Keeping your workplace clean reduces the potential for coronavirus to spread and is a critical part of making and keeping your business ‘COVID-secure’.  

Coronavirus/COVID-19 update

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.  

Isle of Wight worker dies during demolition project

Three construction companies have been fined after a worker suffered fatal injuries while demolishing a two-storey building in preparation for a development project.  Portsmouth Crown Court heard how David Shayler, an employee of Ryde Demolition Limited, was removing roof timbers by hand with a colleague, when a gable wall partially collapsed causing him to fall backwards striking his head against a stack of roof tiles.

Two-tonne metal plate crushed worker’s arm

A boiler manufacturer has been ordered to pay a fine of £120,000 after an employee's arm was crushed.  On 2 November 2018, Paul Madarasz was machining a two-tonne metal plate on a vertical borer machine. The metal cover plate was not sitting flush on the table due to some dirt or debris, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed.