A construction company has been fined after it carried out unsafe and unlicensed asbestos removal during the refurbishment works in a junior school in Dursley.

Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard how, in October 2016, R F Gardiner Limited removed asbestos in an unsafe manner and did not have the appropriate licence to carry out the work. Operatives working for the company were exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos fibres during the removal work as no water suppression was used and they had not been face-fit tested for the face mask they were wearing.

An enclosure under negative pressure was not set up to contain the asbestos fibres released during the removal and as such asbestos fibres were spread to the surrounding area. Workers also had no way of decontaminating onsite on completion of the work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that poor planning of the work meant that unsafe and unlicensed asbestos removal work was undertaken.

R F Gardiner Limited of Cirencester Road, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 8(1), 11(1) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £28,000  and ordered to pay costs of £1,141.80.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector James Lucas said “The company in this case should have ensured appropriate measures were identified during the planning process to include the engagement of a licensed asbestos contractor to carry out correct control measures and safe working practices for the removal of the asbestos.

“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

A Chelmsford based company and director have been fined after conducting gas work at a domestic property in Mount Pleasant, Maldon without being gas safe registered.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how N Murray and Sons Ltd had been contracted in May 2014 to install two boilers at two domestic properties in Essex. Following the boilers being fitted complaints were made to Gas Safe register.

Gas Safe Register inspectors subsequently confirmed that the gas appliances installed by an employee of N Murray and Sons were considered to be “at risk” and required immediate work to ensure the safety of the occupiers of the properties.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Nigel Murray, director of N Murray and Sons Ltd, had sub contracted gas installation work to his son who he knew was not Gas Safe Registered. It was also found that Nigel Murray was aware that Grant Murray was not competent or gas safe registered but allowed the work to be completed.

N Murray and Sons Ltd of Chelmsford pleaded guilty to breaching two charges of Regulation 3 (2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

The company has been fined £6000.

Nigel Murray pleaded guilty to breaching two charges of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and has been sentenced to a six-month community order and a 7pm – 5am curfew for four months.

Grant Murray pleaded guilty to breaching two charges of Regulation 3 (1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and he has been sentenced to a 12-month community order and a 7pm – 5am curfew for six months.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Edward Crick said: “Gas Safe Registered engineers are regulated and have to ensure they can prove they are competent. This safe guard is removed when people choose not to register which is highlighted in this case, where the individual placed people at risk of harm in their homes.

“It is important that anybody who has gas work carried out checks their engineer is carrying a valid gas safe registered identification card. They should also check online or call Gas Safe Register to confirm they are competent to carry out the work.”

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

A dairy farm has been fined after a farm worker was struck by a bull and suffered a serious leg injury.

Kidderminster Magistrates Court heard how, on 23 August 2016, the 28-year-old T N Beeston and Son employee entered the shed in which the cows were kept to clear it out when he was struck by a dairy bull at Moreton Hall Farm. The worker, who arrived to work at the farm a year beforehand, suffered a serious leg injury which required an operation.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the mature dairy bull was housed with cows in a cubicle shed which farm workers had to enter three times a day to clear out, while the bull was loose in the same enclosure.

The investigation found that a suitable bull pen, with means of restraint, was not provided on the farm to ensure workers did not have to enter an area occupied by the bull. Mature dairy bulls are large animals and can be unpredictable and aggressive. The farm’s risk assessment identified a risk from the unrestrained bull but failed to identify adequate controls, even though there were clear signs that the bull was getting more difficult to handle.

T N Beeston and Son, of Moreton Hall Farm, Morton Say, Market Drayton pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,079

HSE inspector Wendy Campbell said after the hearing, “Farmers have a responsibility to assess risks from their cattle and provide suitable housing and handling facilities to ensure that bulls are excluded from areas where they or their employees work. Farm workers should never enter an enclosure when a bull is loose.”

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

Bellway Homes Ltd and A D Bly Construction Ltd have today been fined after a worker was struck by a telehandler.

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 14 July 2015, a grounds worker was run over by a telehandler whilst undertaking work in the middle of the construction site road. The grounds worker was fortunate that he passed under the body of the reversing telehandler, and not under the wheels, which would have likely resulted in his death. The resulting injuries include chipped vertebra, muscular and tendon damage and the worker has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).s

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found both the principal contractor, Bellway Homes, and subcontractor, A D Bly Construction failed in their duties to effectively plan, manage and monitor control measures to address the risks associated with construction site vehicles. The investigation also found they failed to manage and control the risk of persons being struck by a vehicle on their construction site.

A D Bly Construction Ltd of Nup End Business Centre, Old Knebworth pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and has been fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,271.38.

Bellway Homes Ltd of Seaton Burn House, Dudley Lane pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and has been fined £31,500 and ordered to pay costs of £48,600.

Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector Ian Shearring said: “The risks associated with construction vehicles is well-known and both companies failed in their duties to address these. Both Bellway Homes as the principal contractor, and A D Bly as subcontractor, have today been held to account for failing to take adequate action to protect the health and safety of persons working on their site.”

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

A plastic product manufacturer has been fined £1million after a delivery driver was fatally injured.

Cambridge Crown Court heard how Gareth Wilson, a delivery driver for Mark Doel Transport Ltd, was fatally injured when he was struck by a fork lift truck which had large coils suspended from the forks.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Glynwed Pipe Systems Ltd failed to properly manage workplace transport in the yard area where employees and members of the public were exposed to the risk of being hit.  The investigation also found that the systems of work in place were not, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe.

Glynwed Pipe Systems Ltd of St Peter’s Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £1million and ordered to pay costs of £27,942.57

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Roxanne Barker said:  “There are more than 5,000 accidents involving transport in the workplace every year, and, like in this case, sadly some of which are fatal.

“The HSE investigation found the yard was not organised to allow safe circulation of people and traffic as appropriate routes were not identified and therefore insufficient in number. A properly implemented Traffic Management Plan should have identified sufficient measures for the separation of vehicles and people including protected walkways, clear signage and barriers.”

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/ and www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg136.htm
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk