Greenway Partnership Limited, a Herefordshire based construction company, has been fined after an apprentice fell two metres during the demolition of part of a school premises.

Bristol Magistrates’ court heard that on 8 February 2018, the apprentice electrician fell from height, causing facial and head injuries. He was in the process of removing the flat roof of Block 2 Lydney CofE Community School in Lyndney when the incident occurred.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the Greenway Partnership Limited did not adequately plan for the removal of the flat roof. Operatives had not been trained in working at height or demolition, and there was inadequate supervision of the work. As a result, no measures were put in place at the time to prevent or mitigate a fall.

Greenway Partnership Limited of Bromsberrow Heath Business Park, Bromsberrow Heath, Ledbury pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Despite being in liquidation the company was fined £21,319 and ordered to pay £6,284 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Stephan Axt-Simmonds said: “Apprentices should not be left unsupervised to plan and undertake work on construction sites – it is those in control of work who have the responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”

Notes to Editors:
1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

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A Preston demolition company has been fined after the operator of an articulated boom type cherry picker became trapped between the vehicle platform rail and the roof of an industrial shed.

Manchester Magistrates Court today heard how on Thursday 2 November 2017 a worker contracted by Bradley Demolition Ltd was accessing the underside of the roof in Bredbury to remove asbestos sheets and was trapped by his neck between the basket of the machine and a roof truss. As a result of the incident the operator suffered life changing injuries which will require lifelong care.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that the vehicle was not suitable for the work undertaken and that it was not fitted with propriety devices to avoid the likelihood of operators being crushed. The risk assessment did not sufficiently identify the entrapment hazard, and there was no effective communication with banksmen on the ground. An inadequate plan led to the operator being trapped for a sustained period of time.

Bradley Demolition Ltd of Kent Street, Preston pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £21,838.56.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector David Argument said: “If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented”

Notes to Editors:
1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

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A warehouse and storage company has been fined after an employee sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a forklift truck.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how on 11 July 2019, the delivery driver was in a delivery yard at Driver’s Wharf in Southampton, while his vehicle was being loaded, when he was hit by a forklift truck. He was knocked to the ground and the forklift truck ran over his legs causing severe crush injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there were inadequate control measures in place to segregate pedestrians and vehicles at the delivery yard.

Skillbeech Services Ltd of Carnac Place, Cams Hall Estate, Fareham pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £32,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,222.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicola Pinckney said: “The injuries sustained in this incident were life changing and could have easily been fatal.

“This incident could have been avoided if basic vehicle and pedestrian segregation and control measures such as barriers, marked walkways and safe working practices had been in place.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard.”

Note to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg136.pdf
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

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A self-employed plumber has been sentenced after carrying out illegal and unsafe gas work.

North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court heard how, in April 2018, Jeffrey Lewis incorrectly installed a new boiler in a domestic property in Stoke-on-Trent. Mr Lewis was, nor had ever been, Gas Safe Registered. He also issued an invalid gas safety certificate to the occupier using a false Gas Safe registration number.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Lewis had not undertaken any appropriate training in gas work since the 1970s. By carrying out this gas work, Mr Lewis was also in breach of a Prohibition Notice issued to him by the HSE in 2015. The notice prohibited Mr Lewis from carrying out further gas work until he was competent to do so and had become registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Jeffrey Alan Lewis of Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and breaching section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He received a one year custodial sentence suspended for 18 months, a four month curfew (7pm-6am), was ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay costs of £1,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Wendy Campbell said: “Mr Lewis knew that he was not registered to undertake gas work, but still put the occupier and her family at serious risk by carrying out the work.

“All gas work must be done by a registered Gas Safe engineer to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life. A gas boiler must be properly commissioned by a competent gas engineer before being left operating otherwise you cannot be sure that it is working safely.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
4. Further information about gas safety can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/

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A specialist construction company has been fined after a worker was injured when a number of wooden floor panels fell on him at an industrial unit in Fen Street, London.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how on 11 September 2018, a steelworker employed by Mr Mezzanine Limited was working beneath a partially constructed mezzanine floor when several panels, each weighing 38 kg, fell from the edge on to him. He was struck repeatedly and sustained serious injuries which included multiple fractures of his skull, spine, legs and 11 ribs. He has not returned to work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had been contracted to install a mezzanine floor in the unit. They failed to properly plan or supervise the work, which resulted in a lack of exclusion zones or measures to prevent the panels from falling.

Mr Mezzanine Limited of Technology Park, Colindale, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £7,284 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kevin Smith said: “Those in control of work at height have a responsibility to properly plan, supervise, and devise safe methods for carrying out the work.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. (www.hse.gov.uk)
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at: http://press.hse.gov.uk

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