Health and Safety News

HSE launches investigation into Urbaser worker’s death

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the death of a refuse collector working for Urbaser at a school in Kent on 25 November. The worker, who has not yet been named, was completing his morning collections at the Benenden School on behalf of Tunbridge Wells borough council. He was hit by a refuse collection vehicle in the school’s grounds and died at the scene. No-one else hurt in the incident.

Footage reveals dangers of not paying attention in roadworks

Highways England has urged motorists to drive carefully through roadworks as it reveals new research and shocking footage that show the dangers of not paying attention. Latest data shows road workers have reported around 6,500 incidents over three years of drivers going through cones and into roadworks sites – an average of 175 a month.

HSE to prosecute following Birmingham fatal wall collapse in 2016

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution is being brought against two companies after five workers were fatally injured and another seriously injured at a site in Birmingham. On 7 July 2016, Ousmane Kaba Diaby, Saibo Sumbundu Sillah, Bangally Tunkara Dukuray, Almamo Kinteh Jammeh and Mahamadou Jagana Jagana were all fatally crushed by a collapsing wall at the site on Aston Church Road in Nechells area of the city. Tombong Camara Conteh sustained serious injuries.

Recycling oven makes asbestos safe to reuse

Approximately 60% of asbestos taken to landfill is in the form of roof sheets. Removing asbestos roof sheets involves putting them in a skip and sending to landfill. There has been no alternative – until now, it is claimed. Approximately 60% of asbestos taken to landfill is in the form of roof sheets. Removing asbestos roof sheets involves putting them in a skip and sending to landfill. There has been no alternative – until now, it is claimed.

Construction firm fined £130,000 after employee fell to his death through Preston warehouse roof

A construction firm has been fined £130,000 for health and safety breaches after a roofer fell to his death through a warehouse roof in Preston. Mieczyslaw Solowski, 59, known to colleagues as Mitchâ, suffered fatal head injuries and died instantly in the accident in Brockholes View on April 10 2015.

Glasgow cash and carry fined £120,000 after worker's fall

A Glasgow wholesale company has been fined £120,000 over health and safety failings when an employee fractured his skull falling through a ceiling. Cash and carry Alfa Wholesale Ltd pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court last week. Roman Khan, 24, fell through a plasterboard ceiling while retrieving stock from a mezzanine at the warehouse in Anderston in November 2017.

Gig workers win PPE battle

Gig economy workers are entitled to the same health and safety protection as permanent colleagues, the UK High Court has ruled. Last week, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) won a judicial review against the UK government calling for workers in the UK gig economy to be granted the rights they are entitled to under European safety and health law, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Ban on new petrol and diesel cars promises health boost for professional drivers

As the Government announced yesterday it will bring forward a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2030, new research shows professional drivers would benefit from improvements to their respiratory health, reducing their risks of cancers caused by their work.

Waste recycling company fined after employee fatally injured

Enva Scotland Limited has been fined following an incident where a 28-year-old employee, Martin Kane, was fatally injured whilst cleaning a mobile shredder. Paisley Sheriff Court heard that on, 28 March 2018, at their Burnbrae Road, Paisley site, two employees were trying to remove waste that was trapped between a heavy magnet and a hopper on the shredder machine. Mr Kane was struck by the magnet, which fell after he manually removed the locking pins that were keeping the magnet in place. He sustained extensive head injuries and died as a result.

Building contractor fined for asbestos failings at a domestic property construction project

A company has been fined for failing to complete the correct asbestos survey at a domestic construction project. Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 18 October 2017, there was a gas explosion at a flat at Market Place, Chippenham where construction work had been carried out to develop the property into flats. Following the gas explosion, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Prestige EA Ltd failed to plan, manage and monitor construction work to prevent persons from being exposed to risks associated with asbestos. Prestige EA Ltd was contracted to advise and manage the development of the property into four flats above a retail unit. The wrong type of asbestos survey was carried out before the work so the work completed was not in compliance with the law.