A construction company has been fined after a worker’s hand was severed by an inadequately guarded mitre saw on a construction site in Bolney, Sussex.

Lewes Magistrates’ Court heard that, on the 9 January 2019, a worker installing skirting board in a new build house was using a powered mitre saw to cut material to length. The guard of the saw had been propped up, meaning the full front of the sawblade was exposed. During the works, the mitre saw fell forward on to a worker’s right-hand causing part of their hand to be severed. This was re-attached in surgery, although he has not regained full use of it.

An investigation by the Health and Safety (HSE), found that there was a systematic failure to ensure the mitre saw was properly guarded, and there was insufficient supervision on site.

Borrowdale Construction Homes Limited of Lancaster House Sopwith Crescent, Hurricane Way Wickford, Essex pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974. They were fined £21,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,567.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Leah Sullivan said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply ensuring that the correct control measures were in place and that safe working practices were being followed.

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

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

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Glassflake Ltd has been sentenced after an employee received an electric shock while working inside a transformer cabinet.

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard that, on the 7 June 2019, the worker was changing tappings on a transformer, which serves the tanks which melt glass, at a factory on Forster Street, Leeds.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that he was working on the transformer supplying current to an electric heating element. He was found unconscious inside the rear of the transformer, with the transformer not isolated. His torch and spanner were on the floor of the cabinet, and he had significant burns to his chin and the back of his head consistent with an electric shock passing from his chin to the side of the cabinet.

Glassflake Ltd of Forster Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 (1) (a) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The company has been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £693.62 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Julian Franklin commented: “Working on live electrical systems exposes workers to significant risk of electric shock and should be avoided if reasonably practical”.

“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out the correct control measures, primarily by isolating the power supply first.

“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible for electrical work that put their workers at risk.”

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^[1]
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/ ^[2]
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk^[3]
4. For more information on how to work safely around electricity, please visit here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/electrical.htm

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BAM Nuttall Limited has been fined after an employee was run over by a dumper vehicle.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that on 28 October 2016, at Blackhillock Substation, Keith, then under construction, Mr John Cameron was changing over a blade on a piece of work equipment at the side of a roadway when he was run over by a six-tonne dumper truck. Mr Cameron sustained serious pelvic injuries and died as a result.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Bam Nuttall Limited failed to adequately assess the risks to their employees whilst they were repairing and replacing equipment. They failed to provide a system of work in relation to this task which defined a place or places where such work could be carried out safely and which segregated people from vehicles.

BAM Nuttall Limited of St James House, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £700,000.

After the hearing, HSE inspector, Penny Falconer said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a man.

“This death could easily have been prevented if his employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place.”

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. For more information on working safely with vehicles at work, please visit: https://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/

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A textiles manufacturer was fined after a worker was seriously injured when he was covered by hot dye and steam during a maintenance job at the company’s site in Alfreton, Derbyshire. 

South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 4 June 2019, a maintenance worker was checking a fault on an industrial dye pressure vessel, used to dye long lengths of fabric, after steam had been seen coming from the main drain vent.  A valve was slightly open and air lines were removed and replaced in incorrect positions, which caused the valve to instantly open releasing 6,000 litres of hot dye liquor. The employee suffered 20 per cent burns to his body including both arms, legs and buttocks.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Guilford Europe Ltd did not have effective procedures in place for fault-finding when employees encountered a problem with machinery. There were no instructions to employees on what constituted fault-finding or at what stage, isolation of the plant was required. Neither was there any requirement for a permit system for undertaking maintenance on pressure systems. There was also an insufficient level of monitoring in place to review maintenance operations to ensure employees were working safely.

Guilford Europe Ltd of Cotes Park Industrial Estate, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire pleaded guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,751.60.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Leigh Stanley, said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers.

“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. 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

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A self-employed gas engineer has been sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work and breaching a HSE Prohibition Notice.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Dean Coslett trading as Dorset Boiler Company, undertook gas work at a number of properties in Dorset between December 2017 and April 2019 whilst he was not registered with the Gas Safe Register. Mr Coslett used false Gas Safe Register registration numbers on paperwork he issued and left gas appliances incorrectly installed.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Dean Coslett had not installed a number of gas appliances to the correct safety standards. On 12 September 2018, HSE served Dean Coslett with a Prohibition Notice prohibiting him from undertaking gas work whilst not registered with the Gas Safe Register. However, he breached this Prohibition Notice by continuing to undertake unregistered gas work.

Dean Coslett of Sevenoaks Drive, Bournemouth pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) and 3(7) of the Gas Safety (installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was sentenced to a three-year community supervision order, ordered to undertake 200 hours unpaid work and undertake 30 days of offender rehabilitation work. He was also ordered to pay £900 compensation to a number of homeowners for the substandard work he undertook at their homes.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Simon Jones said: “Dean Coslett undertook gas work, which he knew he was not registered to do and flagrantly breached an order prohibiting him from undertaking gas work whilst he was not registered. All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.”

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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