Company fined after worker trapped by falling scrap lead

A lead recycling company was sentenced after a worker was trapped under a load of falling scrap lead.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how on 5 May 2016 an employee of H J Enthoven Ltd was operating the overhead crane, lifting a bin containing scrap lead when the bin slipped, emptying its contents onto the crane operator, trapping and injuring him.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the work was not suitably planned and supervised by a competent person or carried out in a safe manner.

H J Enthoven Ltd of South Darley, Matlock pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £ 6509.69.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Rubeena Surnam said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided if the company had properly planned the work and implemented the control measures identified.

“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. Further HSE news releases are available at press.hse.gov.uk

Journalists should approach HSE press office with any queries on regional press releases.




Contractor fined after employee run over by road roller

A road resurfacing company was fined £15,400 after an employee was run over by a road roller.

Ayr Sherriff Court heard that on 3 November 2015 an employee of Newlay Civil Engineering Ltd reversed a road roller over the leg of fellow employee, Thomas Shaw. The incident happened at Knockbreck Road, Straiton in South Ayrshire, when the road was undergoing re-surfacing work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the vehicle in question was operating without a flashing beacon and the reversing alarm was not working.

Newlay Civil Engineering Ltd pled guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £15,400.

Speaking after the hearing HSE principal inspector, Graeme McMinn said:

“This case highlights the importance of regular pro-active maintenance and pre-use inspection of work equipment, including flashing beacons and reversing alarms.

“In this case, Newlay Civil Engineering Ltd failed to effectively maintain their road roller and it could easily have resulted in a fatality.”

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

Journalists should approach HSE press office with any queries on regional press releases.




Property management consultancy and asbestos surveying company fined after inadequate refurbishment

A property management consultancy and an asbestos surveying company have been fined after an inadequate refurbishment and demolition survey was provided for a major refurbishment project including partial demolition.

Dudley Magistrates’ Court heard how the survey undertaken by Home Inspectors Southern Limited failed to identify asbestos cement and asbestos insulating board (AIB) containing Chrysotile and Amosite asbestos.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the surveyor had no training in asbestos surveying or previous work experience with a suitably qualified person or accredited organisation. The survey also incorrectly advised that a non-licensed contractor could be engaged to remove the large quantity of AIB identified. Home Inspectors Southern Limited were not asked for any information by Vital Property Solutions Limited to demonstrate their skills, knowledge, experience and training relating to asbestos surveying.

Vital Property Solutions Limited of Desborough Street, High Wycombe pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company has been fined £8,400 and ordered to pay costs of £929.67.

Home Inspectors Southern Limited of Hawthorn Close, Brighton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company has been fined £4,800 and ordered to pay costs of £929.67.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Edward Fryer said: “Asbestos surveyors have a duty of care to those persons who use the information they provide. The survey missed a significant amount of asbestos contaminated materials (ACM’s) thus increasing the risk to workers, who would be disturbing the fabric of the buildings during the refurbishment/demolition project. The risk arises from workers unknowingly working on ACM, and not taking effective precautions to prevent exposure and spread of asbestos fibres. Where surveyors fall well short of the standard then HSE will take robust action.

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We seek to 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 health and safety on asbestos can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg264.htm



Luxury yacht building company fined after engineer injured

A luxury yacht building company has been fined following an engineer losing consciousness after being struck on the back of the head by a solid metal bracket weighing 147kg.

Poole Magistrates’ Court heard how the employee of Sunseeker International Limited was working under the hull of an 86-foot yacht adjusting the height of a prop when the bracket came free. The worker suffered a large laceration to the top of his head and lost consciousness. He suffered concussion for several weeks and pain in his neck from a torn muscle. He was off work for six weeks and received physiotherapy for 15 months.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 28 January 2016, found that the company failed to provide a safe system of work to ensure safety during the task of realigning the brackets on the hull of the yacht.

Sunseeker International Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,000 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Victoria Bailey said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to inform, instruct and train their workers in the safe system of working.

“If a suitable, safe system of work had been implemented prior to the incident, the serious 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



Company prosecuted after worker killed

RRS London Waste Papers Ltd have been sentenced after health and safety breaches resulted in the death of one of their employees.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how a RRS London Waste Papers Ltd worker was found dead inside the compaction chamber of a baling machine. The worker had suffered fatal crush injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 27 March 2017, found the worker had fallen down the loading hopper into the compaction chamber of a baling machine. He was most likely attempting to clear a blockage and falling into the chamber initiated the compaction sequence.

The investigation found that this could have been prevented had RRS London Waste Papers Ltd devised and instructed workers on a safe method for clearing machine blockages. Climbing up the baler to clear machine blockages exposed workers to the risk of falling a significant distance either into the compaction chamber or the surrounding concrete floor.

RRS London Waste Papers Ltd of Manor Road, Erith was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,639.77 and a victim surcharge of £170.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicholas Wright said: “This tragic incident, which led to the avoidable death of a father, was easily preventable and the risk should have been identified.

“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery. Maintenance work should only be carried out when the piece of equipment is isolated and confirmed safe. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take 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. 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

Journalists should approach HSE press office with any queries on regional press releases.