The mother of a seven-year-old boy who died after being electrocuted in a pub beer garden is urging the hospitality sector to make sure their outdoor electrical equipment is safe.

Danielle Jones’ son, Harvey Tyrrell, was electrocuted after he touched unsafe lighting in the garden of a pub in Harold Wood, Essex in September 2018.

Danielle, from Romford, is calling on pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality venues to make sure electrical installations and equipment used in outdoor spaces are safe this summer.

Great Britain’s workplace regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is working with the hospitality industry and local authority enforcement officers to increase awareness of safety standards.

HSE says venues should arrange for a competent person to carry out electrical installation work, only using lights and heaters specifically designed for outdoor use, and regularly checking equipment for damage or water ingress. The fixed installation and electrical appliances should be maintained in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Danielle, 34, said: “People who run pubs and other hospitality venues should regularly check their electrics, especially as pub beer gardens are getting busier at this time of the year.

“I’m still hearing of other incidents involving unsafe electrics in pubs and this needs to stop – I don’t want any other family to go through what happened to us.

“Harvey was such a beautiful little soul, a cheeky chappie and one of a kind and what sadly happened to him could have been prevented.”

The pub owner where Harvey died pleaded guilty to Harvey’s manslaughter and to stealing electricity from an unmetered supply and was jailed for 9 years in 2021.

Mark Dawson, HSE’s Head of local authority and safety unit, said: “The hospitality sector will be looking forward to a busy summer period. Those responsible for outdoor spaces need to make sure electrical equipment is in good condition, safe to use and regularly checked.”

The information below is for the installation and use of plug-in electrical equipment.  Anyone selecting, using, or maintaining such equipment should be competent to do so.

Before installing any outdoor equipment:

• Consider using extra low voltage or solar equipment to provide a safer installation
• Only select equipment that is suitable for outdoor use
• Check that equipment is not damaged particularly if it has been stored from previous use.
• Ensure that the existing electrical installation is in good condition and compatible with the equipment to be installed.  This will include being able to accommodate the electrical load so that circuits and sockets are not overloaded.
• Ensure that equipment is only connected to a socket protected by a suitable RCD.
• Ensure that sockets are in good condition, suitable for use outside if appropriate and in a location where they won’t be accessed or damaged by customers.
• Remove equipment from its packaging before installation.
• Switch off the electrical supply before connecting

During installation and when using the equipment:

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and retain for future reference
• Ensure that equipment is installed in locations where it will not be damaged and away from flammable materials and decorations.
• Check frequently for any damage to equipment and replace failed lamps as appropriate.
• Always switch off before replacing lamps and use the correct replacement lamp
• Keep equipment packaging for any future storage.  If equipment is stored ensure that it is not in damp or excessively hot conditions

Any permanent fixed installation of equipment that does not require sockets, and the installation of sockets should be undertaken and thereafter maintained by a competent electrician.

Further information on electrical safety is on HSE’s website.

While HSE doesn’t regulate the hospitality sector, any concerns about electrical safety should go to the relevant local authority.

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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.

A Runcorn business park operator has been fined £13,000 after a worker fell more than 13 feet through a fragile roof.

The man sustained life-threatening injuries, including a fractured skull and collapsed lung as a result of the fall, which happened while he was carrying out repairs at a premises on The Heath Business and Technology Park on 17 June 2021.

The work had not been properly planned, and risk factors had not been identified and managed.

• In the five-year period between 2017 and 2022, 174 workers in Great Britain – a quarter of those killed in accidents at work – tragically fell to their death. HSE guidance can be found at: Work at height – HSE.

Nathan Cook, an enforcement lawyer at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told Warrington Magistrates Court, the man was an employee of SOG Resources Limited. He had been carrying out repairs to a building occupied by Arvia Technology Ltd.

The company had been carrying out the work on the roof for almost three weeks and despite regular checks by the engineering manager, no measures were taken to mitigate the dangers posed by the presence of weaker skylight panels. These parts of the roof should have been covered or had perimeter barriers put in place to prevent access.

The employee was conducting the repair when he tripped and fell through an unprotected skylight, landing on the ground more than 13 feet below. The fall was partially broken by rubber matting on the floor of the building, which may have prevented even more serious injury.

An investigation by HSE found that SOG Limited had failed to take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of workers on the roof.

SOG Resources Limited of The Heath Business & Technical Park, The Heath, Runcorn, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. The company was fined £13,000 and was ordered to pay £2,666 costs at a hearing at Warrington Magistrates Court on 27 June 2023.

HSE inspector Rose Leese-Weller said: “This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was killed as a result.

“This work had been planned for around six months; however, the risk assessments were inadequate.  Work had carried on for three weeks prior to the incident, and the manager had visited, yet no action to prevent the fall through the roof light was taken.”

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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Guidance on working safely at height is available.

Serco has been fined £240,000 after a man was killed when the lorry he was a passenger in crashed into litter picking vans blocking a lane of a dual carriageway in Norfolk.

Tony Skerratt, 44, from Enfield, was in the passenger seat of a Wren Kitchens lorry when it hit the vans, which were obstructing the inside lane of the A11 near Attleborough, between Norwich and Thetford. The incident happened at around 12.45pm on February 26, 2019.

The vans had been moving along the road slowly, stopping from time to time to allow bags of rubbish to be collected. The litter picking was being carried out by Serco employees. Serco had been contracted by Breckland District Council to carry out the work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Serco Limited failed in its health and safety management of litter picking activities on high-speed dual carriageways.

It had not provided its employees with appropriate work instructions to ensure the litter picking activity was safe. It also failed to supervise and monitor the high-risk activity to ensure it was carried out safely.

In a statement, Mr Skerratt’s family said the pain of their loss was as tender now as it was on the day of the incident.

They said: “The pain the family feels is as tender as the day we heard the worst possible news imaginable.

“The court case has been ongoing for so long, the wounds are unable to heal until justice is served. Tony was the youngest of four children and the only son to mum and dad. They grieve for the loss of their son – the pain of losing a child is something you can never recover from.

“It wasn’t Tony’s time to go, otherwise we would of had the chance to say goodbye.”

Serco Limited, with head offices based at Bartley Wood Business Park, Hampshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £240,000 and ordered to pay costs of 37,074 at Norwich Crown Court on 23 June 2023.

HSE Inspector Saffron Turnell said: “This was a tragic incident where the death of a member of the public could have easily been prevented had Serco Ltd implemented and monitored the robust management systems required to ensure such a high-risk activity could be carried out safely.

“The company’s failings put its employees and those using the dual carriageway at significant risk and this incident has left a family grieving the loss of much loved son, brother and uncle. Our thoughts remain with the family.”

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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.

Zebra Technologies Europe Limited (Preston) has triumphed at this year’s ‘Risk reduction through design’ awards for its innovative solution that helps protect workers from developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

The manufacturing company won the prestigious award after overcoming stiff competition from innovators across a wide range of sectors.

The ‘Risk reduction through design’ award 2022/23, sponsored by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF), recognises design innovation to reduce the risk of MSDs. MSDs include injuries and conditions that can affect the back, joints and limbs.

Winning company, Zebra Technologies, developed an innovative design solution in-house for reduction of manual handling of printed rolls and boxes.

Previously, operators lifted the finished roll off the printing press and then by bending and twisting down placed the finished rolls onto the pallet at ground level. A full pallet was then taken by pallet truck to the packing area to be boxed. The operator lifted the rolls from the pallet onto the packing line. Once sealed, the operator lifted the box from the packing line onto the pallet at ground level.

The winning design moved the boxing machine adjacent to the packing line to reduce the lifting tasks. The maintenance team designed a cradle that fits onto the existing boxing machine which allows the whole unit to raise, lower and tilt to suit each of the operators needs to help reduce and address musculoskeletal issues.

Ali Wellens, from HSE’s Health and Work Branch and chair of this year’s judging panel said: “We would like to congratulate Zebra Technologies for their efforts to reduce the risks of MSDs in the workplace.

“The ‘Risk reduction through design’ award is intended to highlight the important contribution that design changes can make in reducing risks of musculoskeletal disorders. We were delighted to receive so many innovative designs from businesses across a wide range of industries. The volume of entries demonstrates some of the great work businesses are doing to protect their workers’ health.

“MSDs are a significant risk to workers’ health, and we urge all businesses to consider how they could make design changes to eliminate or reduce the risks in their workplaces.”

Zebra Technologies was proud to receive the award in recognition of their work to reduce MSDs in the workplace.

Gordon Alexander, Environmental Health & Safety Specialist II, Zebra Technologies Europe said: “The Zebra team in Preston are thrilled to be announced the winners of this ‘Risk reduction through design’ MSDs Award 2023.”

“We continually strive towards a safe and healthy workplace for all, and encourage a culture of safety, teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement. This award reinforces our ongoing efforts and is a fantastic achievement for the team. Thank you to HSE & CIEHF for considering our entry.”

The award was presented at CIEHF’s annual (virtual) awards ceremony on the 23 June 2023.

A commendation was given to a further entry to the awards. Barrett Steel Shoreham received a commended entry for their moving trailer loading platform design solution.

Iris Mynott, Membership & Partnership Manager of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF) said: “CIEHF is delighted to collaborate with HSE on these awards to recognise innovation that can make a significant contribution to life, wellbeing and performance.

“Congratulations to our 2023 winner and commended entry and thank you to all the organisations that entered.”

Notes to Editors:

1. For more information on the award winner and commended entries visit: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/msd-awards.htm
2. More information about Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) can be found here: https://ergonomics.org.uk/
3. 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.
4. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

A manufacturing company has been fined after a dad was drawn into a machine and broke his arm in two places.

Paul Pearce, a father-of-two from Lymington in Hampshire, was unable to work for over a year following the incident on 12 March 2021.

He had been working a night shift for HS Butyl Limited, a manufacturer of adhesive tapes, at the company’s site at Gordleton Industrial Park in Lymington when he noticed a build-up of butyl on the conveyor belt of the firm’s hot feed extruder machine.

Mr Pearce, who was 43 at the time, then reached into the conveyor to find out how much of the material was blocking the machine.

While doing this however, Mr Pearce’s left arm became trapped and entangled between the machine’s conveyor belt and pulley.

This led to the ulna and radius bones in his left arm breaking with Mr Pearce later requiring surgery to fit metal plates in the arm.

However, these plates broke after being fitted and led to Mr Pearce undergoing two more operations. He was unable to work for over a year.

In a victim impact statement presented to the court, Mr Pearce, who is now 45, said: “It was the combination of the incident itself and all of the time off as a result of the incident which depressed me. It was depressing not being able to do all of the things I would normally do. As a result of the time off…I lost [my partner] and had to move out from my home.”

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that HS Butyl Limited had failed to provide guarding to stop its workers from being exposed to dangerous areas on moving machinery.

HSE guidance can be found at: Equipment and machinery – HSE

HS Butyl Limited, of Gordleton Industrial Park, Hannah Way, Lymington, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £4,945.90 in costs at West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court on 23 June 2023.

HSE inspector Lucy Hacker said: “This incident was wholly avoidable, caused by the failure of the company to provide guarding. Employees should be physically prevented from getting into a position where they can come into contact with dangerous parts of machinery, and experience and procedures alone should not be relied upon to control risk.

“The risk of being drawn in and entangled in dangerous parts of conveyors is a well-known and well-documented machinery risk. The guidance on safe operation of extruders is well established and specifies the requirement for these hazards to be guarded.”

This prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz.

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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.