Twelve-year-old Louis Watkiss died after an accident at the Snowdome at Tamworth on 24 September 2021.
After an initial joint investigation with Staffordshire Police, HSE can now confirm Snowdome Limited has been charged with breaching section 3 of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The case is listed for a first hearing at Telford Magistrates Court on 9 October 2024.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
Twelve-year-old Louis Watkiss died after an accident at the Snowdome at Tamworth on 24 September 2021.
After an initial joint investigation with Staffordshire Police, HSE can now confirm Snowdome Limited has been charged with breaching section 3 of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The case is listed for a first hearing at Telford Magistrates Court on 9 October 2024.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
National Grid fined £3.2million after pylon worker suffers serious burns
The National Grid has been fined more than £3million after its failures left a father-of-two with life-changing injuries from working on a pylon in South Wales.
Justin Hollins was working replacing step bolts on the pylon at Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, when he received an electric shock of 33 thousand volts. The 50-year-old sustained burns to 40 per cent of his body, including to his arms and legs, and also lost part of his right buttock.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc and 4 Power Ltd both received fines in relation to the incident, which happened on 3 December 2020.
The incident happened on 3 December 2020
Mr Hollins, who had six operations in the space of his first 10 days in hospital, told of how he required 24 hour care for months afterwards.
“This was a very difficult time, with relentless operations and endless, painful changing of dressings.
“Every day was a huge battle.
“I stopped needing to attend hospital appointments in August 2022 but will remain a burns patient for the rest of my life.
“At the time of my accident I was in peak physical condition, which I was told by the hospital is probably the reason I survived.
“I have been stripped of the opportunity to provide for me family doing the job I loved.
“Although I appreciate that I have been lucky to survive, I have to live with the physical and mental effects of the accident for life. I also have to live with the uncertainty of the long term damage 33 thousands volts have done to my internal organs.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Mr Hollins, also suffered nerve damage that affects mobility, was wearing a climbing harness and left hanging on the pylon for some time before being rescued by his colleagues.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that 4 Power Ltd who are based at Unit 1b, Iddenshall Hall Farm in Cheshire, failed to properly plan and assess the risk. Had this been done, it would have identified that the arms of pylon were too short to do the work safely, while maintaining the specified safety distances as per industry standard. National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc who are based at Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol failed to ensure that the electricity was off in order to do this work safely on the pylon.
4 Power Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and have been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,123.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and have been fined £3.2million and ordered to pay costs of £20,460.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Rhys Hughes said: “The injuries sustained by Mr Hollins have been truly life-changing. He is lucky to be alive.
“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information and instruction to workers.
“What is so frustrating in incidents like these is if a safe system of work had been in place before the incident, his injuries would have been prevented.
“HSE provides advice and guidance to employers and workers unsure of what their duties are or how to comply for free on hse.gov.uk.”
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Iain Jordan and supported by HSE paralegal officer Sarah Thomas.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
Routine HSE inspection results in £150,000 fine for food manufacturer
A North London food manufacturer has been fined £150,000 for failing to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.
The failings came to light following a routine inspection by Britain’s workplace regulator – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in October 2023.
During the visit to Wembley-based Oriental Delight (UK) Limited, the HSE inspector identified multiple failings related to the guarding of machinery. Three machines were deemed unsafe due to interlocking safety devices being defeated and guards being completely removed.
Planetary Mixer missing guard
However, it wasn’t the first time the food company had come onto HSE’s radar , with prohibition notices being issued in both 2016 and 2019.
Identical guarding failings were again found at the inspection in October 2023, demonstrating that the company had not only failed to sustain improvements, but had effectively ignored HSE’s previous enforcement action by continuing to use these machines in an unsafe manner.
Mochi making machine with missing front guard
On 4 September 2024, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Oriental Delight (UK) Limited pleaded guilty to three breaches of Regulation 11(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,020.
Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Marcus Pope said: “This case sends out a clear message to the food manufacturing industry that HSE will not hesitate to prosecute when inspectors find serious health and safety failings, particularly when previous enforcement and advice has been provided.”
“Once again we see how critical it is that all employers make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and supported by HSE paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
An Essex-based tyre refurbishment company has been fined £54,000 following a worker sustaining significant injuries after being drawn into a machine.
Neal Hetherington was working for D&D Commercial Services Limited at its premises on Lamson Road in Rainham, when the incident happened on 19 August 2021.
The company, which specialises in commercial tyre re-treading, was given the fine as a result of the 42-year-old coming into contact with the spinning blades of a tyre buffing machine. The machine had been freewheeling to a stop after being used, when he was drawn into it by his t-shirt, which resulted in part of his torso being shredded.
Mr Hetherington required immediate hospital treatment for his injuries and was off work for several months afterwards.
Moveable tyre buffing machine arm with orange rasp covers open
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that D&D Commercial Services Limited had failed to ensure that the hold-to-run controls were working as they should, and that the brake on the bladed rotating rasp was operational. The brake should have stopped the rasp moving immediately on letting go of the controls, but in fact, would continue to freewheel for approximately five minutes before coming to rest.
HSE prosecuted D&D Commercial Services under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for its failure to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its employees. The company did not enter a plea.
The court found the company guilty following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on 4 September 2024. They were fined £54,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,000.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Oscar Dower said “This case sends a clear message to industry that HSE will hold companies to account if they fail to protect their workers.
“The company allowed its workers to use a machine that was not adequately braked or guarded, leading to significant and wholly avoidable injuries to one of its employees. If the company had ensured the machine’s safety features were working as they should have been, this would not have happened.
“Companies should ensure that safety features of work equipment always remain functional, so that workers are kept safe whilst using machinery.”
This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and Matt Reynolds and HSE Paralegal Officer Imogen Issac.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
