An Ilkley based roofing firm is believed to be the first company to be successfully fined using the powers in the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008, after a roofer sustained serious head injuries due to a fall.
In January 2009 a roofer suffered a fractured skull after falling through a skylight while replacing a roof at a garage in Skipton. The roofer fell about 2 metres and then struck a tower scaffold that had been part of the working platform. After this, he fell a further 2 metres onto a concrete floor, where he hit his head on a metal vehicle lift and fractured his skull.
An investigation by the HSE found that there were no coverings in place on any of the roof skylights to prevent falls. The company had also instructed its employees to erect the tower scaffold, although they were not trained to do so. As a result of this no handrail was installed and the actual platform was too low to break the man’s fall.
The HSE prosecuted the roofing company for 3 safety breaches over the incident. The company pleaded guilty to each of the 3 charges under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Skipton Magistrates' Court, and was fined £23,500 in total and ordered to pay costs of £3452.
The fines are much greater than in previous similar cases as 2 of the 3 breaches continued on the day after the incident. The new Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 means that Magistrates have greater power to penalise guilty parties financially.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Workplace Fatality
In a recent court case (25 September 2009), a Milton Keynes based food company was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £40,452 following the death of an employee. The incident, in which an employee died from serious head injuries, occured in a Milton Keynes meat processing plant.
The operative was cleaning one of the blending machines when a powered door on the machine closed unexpectedly on her. She suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
It is believed the operative had crouched beneath the blender (used to mix up to four tonnes of meat) to inspect a flap from which the load is discharged to ensure that it was clean. This flap closed suddenly with substantial force acting like a pair of 'scissors' cutting off the top of her head above the eye brows.
Mr William Bates (HM principle specialist electrical inspector), who looked at the machine as part of a Health and Safety Executive investigation, said the blender should have been isolated from the mains electricity supply before an inspection was carried out. The inquest heard there was no evidence the operative had received specific training on how to safely clean and inspect the machine or warned of the risks, including the need to isolate it.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching s.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 which covers the duty of the employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees.
Companies are urged to implement and maintain safe systems of work and to offer full training to staff to ensure that the health and safety of employees is not put at risk.
Commenting on the case on behalf of the HSE Karl Howes said,
The operative was cleaning one of the blending machines when a powered door on the machine closed unexpectedly on her. She suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
It is believed the operative had crouched beneath the blender (used to mix up to four tonnes of meat) to inspect a flap from which the load is discharged to ensure that it was clean. This flap closed suddenly with substantial force acting like a pair of 'scissors' cutting off the top of her head above the eye brows.
Mr William Bates (HM principle specialist electrical inspector), who looked at the machine as part of a Health and Safety Executive investigation, said the blender should have been isolated from the mains electricity supply before an inspection was carried out. The inquest heard there was no evidence the operative had received specific training on how to safely clean and inspect the machine or warned of the risks, including the need to isolate it.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching s.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 which covers the duty of the employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees.
Companies are urged to implement and maintain safe systems of work and to offer full training to staff to ensure that the health and safety of employees is not put at risk.
Commenting on the case on behalf of the HSE Karl Howes said,
“Employers must ensure that they implement safe systems of work for staff using machinery. They must make certain that safety features on machines, such as guards are not overridden. All areas of risk need to be assessed, including cleaning and maintenance tasks, to make sure that tragic incidents like this do not happen.”Need help? Visit our website
Friday, 2 October 2009
Occupational Road Risk – Tyre Safety
During October, TyreSafe is highlighting the risks associated with tyres that have insufficient tread depth. Having insufficient tread depth is both dangerous and illegal. It is very easy to check the tread on your tyres, simply use a 20p coin, and insert it into the main tread grooves of your tyres. This will give you a good indication as to whether your tyres are roadworthy. If the outer band on the 20p coin is visible when inserted, your tyres may be illegal and should be checked by a qualified tyre specialist. If the outer band is not visible, your tyres have a tread depth above the legal limit.
The minimum depth your tyres must have is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre around the entire circumference. Failure to meet this standard can lead to a £2,500 fine and three points on your license.
During 2008 over 30 drivers were killed in incidents where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor. A further 900 drivers were injured due to tyre neglect.
If your tyres do not meet the minimum depth: your stopping distances will be increased, your cornering ability is reduced and the likelihood of aquaplaning in wet conditions is significantly increased. If you’re unsure about the depth of your tyres, check them, or get a professional to check them for you.
Tips for checking tyre tread depth
1. Check the depth at least once a month. At the same time check your tyre pressure.
2. If you do not have a calibrated tread depth gauge, use a 20p coin.
3. Insert the 20p coin into the main tyre grooves at several places around the circumference of the tyre.
4. If the outer band is visible when inserted, your tyre tread depth may be illegal.
5. When checking the tread depth, give the tyres a visual inspection, checking for any cuts or bulges, and remove foreign objects from the tread, such as small stones and grit.
The minimum depth your tyres must have is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre around the entire circumference. Failure to meet this standard can lead to a £2,500 fine and three points on your license.
During 2008 over 30 drivers were killed in incidents where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor. A further 900 drivers were injured due to tyre neglect.
If your tyres do not meet the minimum depth: your stopping distances will be increased, your cornering ability is reduced and the likelihood of aquaplaning in wet conditions is significantly increased. If you’re unsure about the depth of your tyres, check them, or get a professional to check them for you.
Tips for checking tyre tread depth
1. Check the depth at least once a month. At the same time check your tyre pressure.
2. If you do not have a calibrated tread depth gauge, use a 20p coin.
3. Insert the 20p coin into the main tyre grooves at several places around the circumference of the tyre.
4. If the outer band is visible when inserted, your tyre tread depth may be illegal.
5. When checking the tread depth, give the tyres a visual inspection, checking for any cuts or bulges, and remove foreign objects from the tread, such as small stones and grit.
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