Tag: accidents at work

Tesco Fined for Accident at Work Incident

Posted on October 10, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Tesco logo - relating to an accident at work incident at a Tesco store in Wallasey

Supermarket chain Tesco has been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker fell through a roof.

Incident

An employee of Tesco Maintenance Ltd was part of a team carrying out repairs to the roof and gutters of the Tesco Liscard Express store in Liscard Village, Wallasey. The employee in question fell 30 feet through a fragile skylight onto the trading area floor of the store, suffering minor injuries.

HSE Investigation

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no risk assessment had been carried out prior to the work starting. Inspectors also found that Tesco Maintenance Ltd received no information regarding the fragility of the roof from Tesco Stores Ltd. Furthermore, HSE inspectors determined that the skylights should have been identified and necessary precautions taken, which were not.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 10 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, Tesco Stores Ltd of Tesco House, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City was fined £200,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £712.70.

Tesco Maintenance Ltd of Tesco House, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £624.60.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Chris Hatton said:

“Contractors should treat all roofs with care and check before starting any work if they are fragile. I am shocked at a company the size of Tesco failing to take even basic precautions to prevent injury to its employees and further, to risk injury to the public”

Accident at work – expert advice

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.

Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Hemel Hempstead Firm Fined £1million for Fatality

Posted on October 6, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a silver metal CNC milling machine relating to an accident at work incident

A manufacturing company has been fined £1million by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an incident in which a worker was fatally crushed by machinery in an accident at work.

Fatal Incident

An employee of Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd, Colin Reddish, was involved in moving a large CNC milling machine on 30th April 2015 when the machine overturned and killed him. The 48 year old worker was working alone when the incident occurred.

HSE Investigation

During an investigation by HSE inspectors, it was found that the work being carried out by Mr Reddish had not been planned properly and that an unsafe system of work was in place at the time of the incident.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Reg 3(1) of Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety of Work etc Act 1974, Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire was fined £1million.

The company was also ordered to pay costs of £6,311 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Speaking after the incident, HSE Inspector Martin Giles said:

“Colin Reddish’s death was entirely preventable. Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd had already tried unsuccessfully to lift the machine using a fork lift truck but instead of learning from this failure they carried on. Their ad hoc approach to managing dangerous tasks resulted in one of their workers losing his life.

“All companies can learn from this incident and make sure they have properly risk assessed the situation before they start and that they have trained staff with the right type of experience to carry out the task in hand safely. Taking an extra few minutes to properly think through a problem could save a worker’s life.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Firm Fined after Worker Injures Leg

Posted on September 28, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

A composite door manufacturer has been prosecuted following an accident at work incident in which an employee suffered serious lacerations and fractures to his leg.

Incident

On 21 January 2016, an employee of Supaglaze Limited trading as Shepley Windows was attempting to dislodge a jam jar from the back end of a CNC Uniteam Esseteam Sprint machine. As he did so, it began to move and his leg became trapped underneath the machinery.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the interlock guard on the machine had not been functioning properly for a number of years and that the safety gate was constantly left open.

HSE Investigation & Sentencing

An investigation into the incident by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors found that there was no safe method in place for workers to access the rear of the CNC Uniteam Esseteam Sprint machine. Furthermore, employees had not received training with regards to accessing the rear of the machine or with regards to the use of the safety gate and guards.

After pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 9 and Regulation 11(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Supaglaze Ltd trading as Shepley Windows, of Outram Road, Dukinfield, Cheshire was fined £30,000. The company was also ordered to pay a total of £1,196.30 in costs.

Lisa Bailey, HSE inspector, said after the hearing:

“Had Supaglaze Ltd checked and monitored the guards on the CNC machine, repaired the defects, and adequately trained their employees then this incident would not have occurred”.

Accident at work – expert advice

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Worker Severs Finger During an Accident at Work

Posted on September 22, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a man using a lathe - relating to an accident at work incident

An engineering firm based in Hampshire has been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker lost a finger.

Incident

Repro Engineering Limited had permitted the custom and practice of defeating interlocks on CNC metal working lathes to develop. This resulted in the possibility of machines being operated at the same time access was allowed to the moving parts.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard that at the time of the incident, a worker was attempting to release a jammed work-piece when his hand came into contact with the moving parts, severing his finger.

Sentencing and fines

After pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Repro Engineering Limited, of Aysgarth Road, Waterlooville, Portsmouth was fined £14,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £2,222,37.

Frank Flannery, HSE Inspector, said after the case:

“This incident could have been prevented by more active and robust management action, it sends out a message to employers that tampering with safety devices can lead to injury and prosecution”

Accident at work – expert advice

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Foundry Fined after Worker Suffers Serious Burns

Posted on September 16, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of smouldering metal in a foundry

A foundry firm has been prosecuted following an incident in which a worker suffered severe burns when his clothing caught fire.

Incident

At the time of the incident, the worker in question was carrying out a job that involved the use of a paint-like solution and isopropanol. The container filled with the paint-like solution caught fire and the worker’s clothes were set alight. He suffered serious burns during the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident and found that ‘the company failed to provide adequate training, work equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)’.

Sentencing and fines

Batley Foundry Limited, of Warwick Road, Batley, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9000.

HSE Inspector John Boyle said after the hearing:

“A worker was left with serious injuries as a result of this incident. Had the company taken a number of simple measures prior to the work activity taking place – such as the provision of suitable work equipment, training and personal protective equipment – then it may well have been avoided.”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Wirral Based Firm fined After Worker Injures Arm

Posted on September 16, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a silver metal conveyor belt in a factory - relating to an accident at work incident

A Wirral based company, Sovex Limited, has been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker’s arm was injured.

Incident

A installation engineer employed by the firm was commissioning a new conveyor belt system at the UK Mail site in Coventry when his arm was pulled into machinery. The worker suffered a broken arm during the incident on 21 January 2015.

Warwick Crown Court heard that an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that there was insufficient guarding in place on the machinery in question.

Sentencing and fines

Sovex Limited, of Prenton Business Park, Prenton Way, Prenton, Wirral, were found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £170,000 and ordered to pay £24,000 in costs.

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Farm Fined by HSE after Death of Young Worker

Posted on September 14, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a blue and black telehandler with white background

A Nottinghamshire based farm has been fined after a 23 year old worker sustained fatal injuries after he became trapped between two vehicles.

Incident

A court heard how the young man was working alone on the farm on 7th April 2013, transporting cattle manure from sheds to a large pile using a dumper truck. As he drove the truck with manure to the manure pile it became stuck.

It is thought that the worker attempted to free the dumper truck by using a telehandler. However as he bent down to attach the two vehicles the telehandler rolled forward, crushing him.

HSE Investigation & Sentencing

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive found that the handbrake had not been applied to the telehandler.

Lincoln Proteins Limited (formerly known as GH By-Products Limited), Windsor House, A1 Business Park, Long Bennington, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of Health and Safety at Work Act. The company was fined £66,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,286.

HSE inspector, Emma Madeley said:

“All too often within the farming community workers are injured in incidents involving farm machinery and, as in this tragic incident, killed. There were a number of opportunities to prevent the loss of this young life. Had a risk assessment been performed, along with suitable training, the necessity of carrying out the well-known industry ‘safe stop’ procedure would have been identified.

“Workers should have been given instructions about what to do if a vehicle became stuck and there should have been arrangements in place for getting help if needed.

“We can only hope farmers learn from this heart-breaking case that they are not invincible and small actions that take only a few moments of their time might save their and their workers lives.”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Company Director Jailed after Death of Worker

Posted on September 9, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a red mobile elevated platform relating to an accident at work incident

The director of a warehousing firm has been jailed for 12 months following the death of one of his employees.

Incident

On 29 January 2014, 51 year old Paul Williamson was loading a controlled Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) on to a truck when it toppled off a set of ramps, crushing him. The father of three died from his injuries.

HSE Investigation

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there was no risk assessment in place. The equipment had only been in operation for eight days and inspectors found that there was no safe system of work in place. Furthermore, Manchester Crown Court heard that the gradient of the ramps were above the manufacturer’s specification and they were not secured to the lorry.

Sentencing

Keneth Thelwall, company director of Thorn Warehousing Ltd, was charged under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay costs of £4,000. Mr Thelwell was also banned from being company director for seven years.

Thorn Warehousing Ltd was charged under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined a total of £166,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £10,400. Thorn Warehousing Ltd is currently in administration.

Helen Jones, HSE Inspector, said:

“Kenneth Thewall failed in his duty as a director to protect his workers. He was involved in the day-to-day running of Thorn Warehousing Ltd and should have ensured the company provided Paul Williamson with the right equipment and training to carry out his job. Had he done so Mr Williamson would still be alive today.

“This case should act as a stark warning to all company directors of their personal responsibility to protect their workers’ health and safety and the tragic consequences when they fail.”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Manchester Firm Fined after Worker’s Fall from Height

Posted on September 8, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a glass conservatory attached to the back of a cream house - relating to an accident at work incident

A Manchester based company responsible for the manufacture and installation of conservatory roofs has been fined after a worker was injured in a fall from height.

Incident

Two employees of Phil Coppell Ltd had been carrying out repair work on a conservatory roof at a residential property in Newton le Willows when the incident occurred in June 2015.

The employee in question was working on the roof alone when he lost his balance and fell around 2.5 meters onto a patio area below. He suffered a fractured skull which led to a bleed on his brain following the fall. The 59 year old worker from Bolton also suffered a shattered eye socket.

HSE investigation

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found that there no preventative measures were in place to avoid a fall from height. HSE subsequently issued an Improvement Notice and the company has since developed a barrier to be used as edge protection during work at height.

Previous incidents

Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court heard that this was not the first incident of its kind involving employees of Phil Coppell Ltd and fall from height. The company was also prosecuted for serious safety failings after the same employee fell off a roof and lost consciousness in 2013. They were also prosecuted for failing to report an incident after another employee fell through a skylight in 2013, suffering multiple broken ribs.

Sentencing

Phil Coppell Ltd of Cemetery Road, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company also pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 3(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, and Regulation 4(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. The firm was fined a total of £40,280 and ordered to pay costs of £1,464.70.

HSE inspector Christine McGlynn said after the hearing:

“This incident could have been avoided if the company had learnt lessons from two previous similar incidents in 2013. The risks of working from height are well known and there is plenty of guidance available.

“Employees of this company were exposed to the risks of falls over a prolonged period of time. Generally work of this nature is at the rear of premises and is not visible or easy to monitor, however this prosecution should highlight, in particular to other companies who carry out work on conservatory roofs, that they should have in place control measures to prevent the risk of falls”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Distillery Fined after Worker is Injured in Fire

Posted on September 7, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of naked flames with black background

A distillery in Oldbury, West Midlands, has been fined following a fire in which an employee was seriously injured.

Incident

At the time of the incident, a highly flammable liquid – ethyl acetate – was being transported from a bulk storage tank into an intermediate bulk container. The liquid caught fire and engulfed a 21 year old worker, who suffered twenty percent burns to his hands, neck and head.

The fire at Alcohol Limited destroyed the distillery’s warehouse and also caused damage to nearby cars and houses.

HSE Investigation

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it was determined that the most likely cause of the fire was a ‘discharge of static electricity’ that would have been generated by the transfer of the highly flammable liquid.

Inspectors from the HSE also found there was a failure to properly inspect the equipment or supervise the systems of work in place. Furthermore it was found that there was poor maintenance of associated valves and pipework.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Alcohols Limited, of Charringtons House, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was fined £270,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,009.

HSE inspector Kieron Jones said after the hearing:

“Companies that fail to ensure the integrity of their safety critical equipment place their employees, members of the public, emergency services and their entire livelihood at risk of serious harm.

“Poor management of highly flammable liquids can have catastrophic results both for individuals and businesses.”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.

Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive