Automotive group McLaren has been fined £650,000 after a father-of-five from Portsmouth fell to his death carrying out an inspection.

David Oldham’s widow, Patricia, says she has been “robbed” of her husband following the tragedy. The couple had been married for 14 years and lived in Hereford.

Fifty-five-year-old David worked for Zurich Management Services Limited. He was carrying out a structural inspection of McLaren’s Paddock Brand Centre, a hospitality unit used by its Formula One racing team, when he fell from one of the upper floors. He later died of his injuries.

The incident happened on 18 October 2016, while the structure was undergoing maintenance at one of McLaren’s warehouses on Vanwall Road, Maidenhead.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found McLaren had failed to properly assess the risks and to put measures in place to prevent workers falling from height at its Paddock Brand Centre.

Falls from height remain the biggest cause of fatal accidents involving workers. 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

David’s wife Patricia Oldham said: “Davey was my husband for a short 14 years, although we had been together for 18 years. We had a happy time together and loved each other very much.  He took care of me and I in turn took care of him.

“Our relationship was the kind that we could silently communicate to each other from the other side of the room.  We used to work together and that is how we met and became good friends.  Our wonderful, blended family consists of five grown up children, Chris, Dale, Nikki, Andy, and Simon.  We have seven grandchildren and even a great-grandson!  Dave loved his family and spoilt all of the grandchildren.

“A few months before he was killed at McLaren’s Paddock Brand Centre, we had taken all the grandchildren on holiday to Spain.  We had an amazing time, especially poignant now given these circumstances.

“Dave was the kind of man who would help anyone if he could. He had such a big heart. His passion was golf, of which he enjoyed playing a round with his boys as well as myself and even to the extent of taking his grandchildren to the driving range.  He used to like to keep fit and liked running, he did runs for charity.

“He used to make me laugh so much. Together we planned our retirement, where we would travel and see what new experiences we could explore together.

“I have been robbed of my husband, but poor Dave lost his life.”

Following a trial at Reading Crown Court, McLaren Services Limited, of Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey, was found guilty of breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £650,000 and ordered to pay £110,132 in costs at Reading Crown Court on 31 March 2023.

HSE inspector Saffron Turnell said: “Patricia’s powerful words make clear the impact David’s loss has had on her life. This is a devastating tragedy and our thoughts remain with her and David’s family.

“Work at height is a high risk activity and falls can result in life changing injuries and death. It’s the number one reason why people like David didn’t get home from work. Those responsible to ensure his health and safety failed to do so.

“It is very important that those in control of the work identify the risk, plan to eliminate it if possible, or where it is not possible, take appropriate precautions to safeguard workers and others. Good management will also include regular monitoring that the controls in place are keeping people safe.”

 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. HSE guidance and information about work at height can be found at:   Work at height – Occupational health and safety – HSE
5. Falls from height deaths to workers: Year (number of deaths). Bold = biggest cause of work-related fatal accidents to workers  during that year. 14/15 (42), 15/16 (37), 16/17 (27), 17/18 (35), 18/19 (43), 19/20 (31), 20/21 (36), 21/22 (29). Source –RIDKIND – RIDDOR reported fatal and non-fatal injuries in Great Britain by kind of accident and broad industry group (.xlsx)
6. Following a trial at Reading Crown Court, Zurich Management Services Limited was found not guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

An East Yorkshire garden landscaping company has been fined £600,000 after an employee died while loading a lorry.

Brian White, 59, was working for Kelkay Limited when he was operating a forklift truck at the company’s site on Heck and Pollington Lane, Pollington, East Yorkshire, on 15 June 2020.

Brian was fatally injured when the lorry he was loading was moved by the driver, pulling the forklift truck over and trapping him underneath.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Kelkay Limited’s risk assessment failed to take into account the possibility of lorries moving while they are being loaded. HSE also found that the systems of work provided for ensuring that vehicles were not moved during loading activities were inadequate.

Kelkay Limited, of Heck And Pollington Lane, Pollington, East Yorkshire, was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £600,000 and ordered to pay £20,848.71 in costs at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on 30 March 2023.

Brian’s eldest son Barry said: “Not a day goes by without me thinking of my dad and how we have lost a massive part of our family. He was our rock who we could turn to for advice and help.  We have lost a friend and a father and a grandad all in one go.

“He was a well-known part of the local area and his loss has affected many people around the community.

“We miss him so much. It still upsets me to this day and we will always remember him. Rest in peace dad.”

Brian’s partner Joan said: “Brian went to work on that day but didn’t return home through no fault of his own.

“We had made plans for the future together but then everything was turned upside down on that day.

“My life was then a total disaster from that day.”

HSE inspector John Boyle commented: “This incident could have been avoided by implementing the correct control measures and safe working practices.”

“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.
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. HSE guidance on the dangers of loading and unloading vehicles safely is available.

The Easter break will see thousands of people heading into the countryside to stretch their legs and enjoy Britain’s stunning scenery.

While the vast majority of walkers enjoy the countryside safely and use the extensive network of footpaths, bridleways, and public access land without any problems, going through fields where there are cattle can be hazardous.

Britain’s workplace regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is reminding both farmers and walkers to do all they can to help to keep everyone safe, particularly where cattle and countryside visitors are close together.

HSE inspector Wayne Owen said: “All large animals can be a risk to people. Even a gentle knock from a cow can result in people being crushed or falling. All cattle should be treated with respect.”

Farmers have a legal responsibility to manage their herds to reduce risk to people using footpaths and other rights of way.

HSE regularly investigates incidents involving cattle and the public. A proportion of these incidents involve serious injury and sometimes death. On average, between one and two members of the public are killed each year while using public rights of way, others suffer serious injury.

Incidents in which walkers are killed or injured often involve cows with calves, or bulls. Often, those injured or killed have a dog with them.

Members of the public can find out about steps to safely enjoy the countryside and respect farming activities by following Government advice in The Countryside Code – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Advice includes:

• Give livestock plenty of space. Their behaviour can be unpredictable, especially when they are with their young.
• Keep your dog under effective control to make sure it stays away from livestock. It is good practice wherever you are to keep your dog on a lead around livestock.
• Let your dog off the lead if you feel threatened by livestock. Releasing your dog will make it easier for you both to reach safety.

Mr Owen said: “Farmers should carefully consider the risk before putting cattle into fields with footpaths, for example cows and calves are best kept in alternative fields.

“Even docile cattle, when under stress, perhaps because of the weather, illness, unusual disturbance, or when maternal or other instincts are aroused, can become aggressive.

“Follow farming industry and HSE guidance to reduce the risk from animals and help people to enjoy your land and pass through smoothly.”

Key considerations for farmers and landowners include:

• No dairy bulls should be kept in fields with public access at any time.
• Where possible avoid putting cattle, especially cows with calves, in fields with public access.
• Where there is a need to keep cattle with calves or a bull in a field with public access, do all that you can to keep animals and people separated. Consider the use of fencing (permanent or temporary e.g. electric fencing). This is particularly important at busy times or where access routes are heavily used.
• Assess the temperament of any cattle before putting them into a field with public access.
• If cattle, especially cows with calves, do need to be put into fields with public access, keep this period to a minimum.
• Position feed and water troughs away from public access routes and away from public entrances and exists to the field.
• Put in place a system to monitor any cattle in fields with public access at least on a daily basis. It may be worth recording this.
• Consider culling any animal that shows signs of aggression.
• Any animal that has shown any sign of aggression must not be kept in a field with public access.
• Clearly sign post all public access routes across the farm. Display signage at all entrances to the field stating what is in the field (cows with calves / bulls).

Notes to editors

1. HSE Guidance for England and Wales on putting cattle into fields with public rights of way / public access can be found here:  Cattle and public access in England and Wales (hse.gov.uk)

1. HSE guidance for Scotland can be found here: Cattle and public access in Scotland: Advice for farmers, landowners and other livestock keepers AIS17 (hse.gov.uk).

1. There is also guidance available from other stakeholders for visitors to the countryside and farmers / landowners eg  The Countryside Code – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
2.  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.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases.

A Peterborough company has been fined £500,000 after a young father was killed in an explosion at a firework factory.

Twenty-four-year-old Brendan Ledgister was working for Le Maitre Ltd when one of the products he was using ignited and caused an explosion on 2 October 2018.

Brendan, who lived in Peterborough, had only become a father eight months before and was described as “kind, gentle and funny”.

Brendan’s father Gladstone Ledgister said: “It was the worst day in my life. My only son and best friend died. The suffering is still embedded in my mind and will never leave me until I die.

“He was such a nice boy, he was kind, gentle, funny, and happy – and its all been taken away from us – especially from his daughter. She didn’t even know him.”

Peterborough Magistrates Court heard how Mr Ledgister was making a pyrotechnic composition when one of the products ignited causing a significant explosion. He suffered serious burns in the explosion and died of his injuries the following day.

An Investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined that the system of work for working with explosive materials was not safe.  The tools he was provided with were unsuitable for handling the explosive materials and the facility in which he was working was not of an appropriate standard. The company also failed to provide him with adequate training and he was not appropriately supervised.

Le Maitre Ltd (now known as LM140121 Limited) were found guilty of breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act as, on and prior to the 2 October 2018, they failed in their duties to ensure so far as reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of their employees, and hence were found guilty of under  section 33(1)(a) of the Act. The company were fined £500,000 and ordered to pay costs of £ 20,788.65.

Speaking after the hearing the HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Stuart Charles said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Brendan’s family.

“While the explosive sector in the UK is relatively small and incidents relatively uncommon, when they do occur they often result in significant injury or death.

“This case should reinforce the message to the sector that appropriate precautions must be maintained or an event such as this is likely.”

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 the Explosives Regulations 2014: Safety Provisions is available.

Safety will be a central part of Great Britain’s move to Net Zero the top scientist at the country’s workplace regulator says.

The government has committed to decarbonising our economy by 2050 and that will involve embracing new technologies.

Professor Andrew Curran, Director of Science at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a member of the government’s Chief Scientific Advisers Network, says scientists at HSE are already working to address challenges presented by the move to Net Zero.

The safe use of lithium-ion batteries, testing hydrogen-fuelled vehicles in tunnels, and the safety of hydrogen as a potential fuel for flights are just some areas where HSE scientists are safe-guarding safety during the introduction of Net Zero technologies.

This work is highlighted in the annual HSE science review published today (March 28).

Professor Curran said: “HSE scientists have a key role to play here. Bringing together scientific expertise and Britain’s proud health and safety record, they have spent more than 20 years identifying and tackling emerging safety challenges to enable the safe introduction of net zero energy technologies. They have worked with policymakers, industry, and researchers around the world.

“By doing so HSE is playing an important role in enabling a safe pathway to reaching net zero by 2050.”

In addition to work on net zero safety, ensuring the learning from the COVID-19 National Core Study enables future pandemic preparedness, and the authorisation of the first UK application of a pesticide using a drone are some of the other case studies captured in HSE’s Annual Science Review.

Read more about HSE’s case studies highlighted in this year’s Annual Science Review.

To hear HSE scientists and engineers presenting 5 min ‘Turbo Talks’ on their work, please join us for the 2023 HSE Annual Science Review launch seminar, online, at 1pm on 20 April. To register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hse-2023-annual-science-review-seminar-tickets-598384804057

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.