A glass company and a ventilation system engineer have both been fined after a contractor sustained life threatening injuries.
The
injured person was one of three contractors who had started to
dismantle an industrial box oven at the premises when the incident took
place.
The injured person was standing on the roof of the oven
when he stumbled and fell from the top of the oven, landing on the
ground. His injuries were so severe he was put in an induced coma by
paramedics at the scene. He sustained a number of injuries, namely a
fractured neck, sternum, skull, and collarbone and has permanently lost
the sight in his right eye. He has not returned to work since the
accident.
The injured person was an employee of Neil Shield
(trading as Shield Ventilation Services) who was contracted to undertake
the work at Peterlee Glass Company Limited.
An investigation by
the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the dismantling work had not
been properly planned by the contractor, and the control of contractors
by the glass company was inadequate.
Peterlee Glass Company
Limited, of Lister Road, North West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, pleaded
guilty to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
and were fined £1,500 with costs of £1,131 at Peterlee Magistrates’
Court today (23 June)
Neil Shield of Dumpling Hall, Newcastle,
pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
1974 and was fined £3,500 with costs of £1,080.
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety
Tuesday 30 June 2015
Monday 29 June 2015
British Grand Prix – Your chance to visit Silverstone
- Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Sahara Force India F1 VJM08.
Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday 21st June 2015. Spielberg, Austria.
Team Principal, Dr Vijay Mallya said “We come to Silverstone off the back of two strong results in Canada and Austria, two races that have been a big boost for everyone in the team. As we approach the mid-season point, being fifth in the championship is an tremendous achievement, especially when you take into consideration our start to the season. It’s a reward for the hard work by everyone in the team, both at the factory and trackside”.
“Our recent results are an excellent platform to build on for the second part of the season, with our eagerly-awaited upgrade package making its debut in Silverstone. Everyone is full of anticipation, but we know it will be a very steep learning curve to fully understand and get on top of the changes in just a few free practice sessions. However, I remain optimistic we will see progress sooner rather than later.
“Silverstone is a special place for us. It's our local race, with our headquarters just across the road giving a chance for all our factory staff to be close to the action. It is also a great race thanks to the atmosphere in the grandstands: the fans in Britain have an incredible passion for motorsport and they always turn up to create an amazing event.”
CRS are offering you the chance to visit Sahara Force India on Friday 4th September as we will be holding our third FREE seminar:
ISO 14001:2015 Conversion Workshop Seminar.
This workshop has been put together to give you practical advice on how to convert your existing EMS to meet the new requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard which comes into effect from 1st September 2015.
This new version, the first for 11 years, includes a number of significant changes reflecting the growing importance of environmental issues to the business sector. The seminar is designed for anyone looking to implement the changes within their organisation, so if you currently have ISO 14001:2004 attendance at this seminar is a must.
For more information and to get on the guest list please contact Ros Stacey – rs@crsrisk.com
Tuesday 23 June 2015
Congratulations David Lindsay you are our Delegate of the Month – July
This month our Delegate of the month was nominated by our Tutor Caroline Skinner and we say congratulations to David Lindsay. David is currently employed by Liberty Gas based in Havant, Hampshire as a Contract Manager/Health & Safety, he attended our NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety at our Southampton Training venue. We asked David why he chose CRS and he said “I chose CRS purely because of location and the course was split into two one week blocks”. David then went on to say “the other delegates and the tutor created a great learning atmosphere”. David is married to wife Melanie and they have three daughters, Libby, Gemma and Ellen and when the girls give David a break he likes sailing, golf, badminton, cycling and fishing. We are all keeping our fingers crossed for Davids’ results which will be landing on his door mat any time soon.
David will now be entered into our Annual Prize draw for our M&S voucher.
If you would like to be nominated please let your tutor know or contact Ros Stacey – rs@crsrisk.com
Monday 22 June 2015
Death of young worker leads to court for recycling company
A recycling company in South Devon has been sentenced for serious
safety breaches after a worker was killed after likely being thrown from
a six-tonne dumper truck.
Ben Sewell, 30, from Dartmouth, was found lying on his back on a bank, a few metres behind the overturned dumper, on a sloping dirt track at Dittisham Recycling Centre on 21 September 2012. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the firm after an investigation discovered that Mr Sewell, who was single, had not been properly trained by his employer to use the vehicle. The company had also failed to properly enforce the wearing of seat belts fitted to the dumpers used by Ben and other staff.
Plymouth Crown Court heard that HSE’s investigation uncovered a catalogue of dangers at the Dittisham Recycling site and served a total of eight Prohibition Notices on the company preventing its use of various plant and machinery until adequate safety measures were taken.
The court was told that on the day of the incident Mr Sewell was using the dumper to take loads of oversized material from one part of the centre to another. The extensive site sits in a steeply sided valley. At one point he stopped at the top of the site to deal with a customer before setting off in his empty dumper down to the bottom of the site along the main dirt track.
The customer noted the truck was going at speed and that Mr Sewell was not wearing the seat belt. Minutes later, a colleague at the bottom of the site noticed smoke rising from a section of the dirt track above where he was working and he could just see the overturned dumper. He rushed to the scene and found Ben lying on his back at the side of the track some ten metres from the dumper truck.
Paramedics later confirmed he had been fatally injured.
HSE found a series of safety failings with other dumper trucks, a tracked excavator and with processing machinery for rock crushing and screening. Tipping operations were also unsafe and some of the roadways about the site were inadequately protected. Inspectors issued two Improvement Notices requiring safety changes to the site’s roadways and tipping safety measures.
Having taken into account the current financial circumstances of the defendant Company, the Judge – His Justice, Judge Dingemans ordered Dittisham Recycling Centre Ltd, of Dittisham Cross, near Dartmouth, South Devon, to pay a fine of £50,000 and also ordered them to pay £25,000 towards the prosecutions costs (all payable over the next 5 years) for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
After the case, HSE inspector David Cory said: “Ben’s death was entirely preventable. The lack of competent training, poor monitoring and inadequate supervision of staff added up to a fatal combination. Although there were no witnesses, his injuries were consistent with being thrown from the truck.
Ben Sewell, 30, from Dartmouth, was found lying on his back on a bank, a few metres behind the overturned dumper, on a sloping dirt track at Dittisham Recycling Centre on 21 September 2012. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the firm after an investigation discovered that Mr Sewell, who was single, had not been properly trained by his employer to use the vehicle. The company had also failed to properly enforce the wearing of seat belts fitted to the dumpers used by Ben and other staff.
Plymouth Crown Court heard that HSE’s investigation uncovered a catalogue of dangers at the Dittisham Recycling site and served a total of eight Prohibition Notices on the company preventing its use of various plant and machinery until adequate safety measures were taken.
The court was told that on the day of the incident Mr Sewell was using the dumper to take loads of oversized material from one part of the centre to another. The extensive site sits in a steeply sided valley. At one point he stopped at the top of the site to deal with a customer before setting off in his empty dumper down to the bottom of the site along the main dirt track.
The customer noted the truck was going at speed and that Mr Sewell was not wearing the seat belt. Minutes later, a colleague at the bottom of the site noticed smoke rising from a section of the dirt track above where he was working and he could just see the overturned dumper. He rushed to the scene and found Ben lying on his back at the side of the track some ten metres from the dumper truck.
Paramedics later confirmed he had been fatally injured.
HSE found a series of safety failings with other dumper trucks, a tracked excavator and with processing machinery for rock crushing and screening. Tipping operations were also unsafe and some of the roadways about the site were inadequately protected. Inspectors issued two Improvement Notices requiring safety changes to the site’s roadways and tipping safety measures.
Having taken into account the current financial circumstances of the defendant Company, the Judge – His Justice, Judge Dingemans ordered Dittisham Recycling Centre Ltd, of Dittisham Cross, near Dartmouth, South Devon, to pay a fine of £50,000 and also ordered them to pay £25,000 towards the prosecutions costs (all payable over the next 5 years) for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
After the case, HSE inspector David Cory said: “Ben’s death was entirely preventable. The lack of competent training, poor monitoring and inadequate supervision of staff added up to a fatal combination. Although there were no witnesses, his injuries were consistent with being thrown from the truck.
Thursday 18 June 2015
Bedforshire haulage firm fined £8K after driver injured while delivering to Israeli embassy
A Bedfordshire haulage contractor has been sentenced for safety failings after a driver suffered serious injuries when he was catapulted from a powered access platform as he was unloading it from a heavy goods vehicle. The driver was employed by RC Robinson Haulage Ltd, which had been contracted by a platform hire company to transport the seven ton piece of plant.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard recently (10 June 2015) that the driver was delivering the plant to the Israeli Embassy in Palace Green, London, when the incident occurred on 7 April 2014.
The driver got into the extendable cage attached to the plant, used its controls to move himself higher and drove it off the low loader. The plant slipped on wet metal ramps and landed on the grass verge narrowly missing a member of the public. The driver was thrown onto the pavement and suffered a number of severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and multiple broken ribs.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which found that the correct loading and unloading procedure had not been followed. The driver should have used the low loader’s winch to lower the plant off the trailer.
The court heard that the driver had not received adequate training to load and unload powered access platforms from vehicles. While other drivers at the firm received in-house training, this driver was missed.
RC Robinson Haulage Ltd of The Ridgeway Business Park, The Ridgeway, Blunham, Bedfordshire, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £782 and a Victim Surcharge of £120 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
After the case, HSE Inspector Zameer Bhunnoo, said: “This was a serious accident which could have resulted in the fatality of the driver or passing members of the public. Had adequate training been provided, the incident would not have happened. Haulage drivers usually work on their own and need to be able to rely upon their skills to carry out work safely. A key part to managing risks for firms is to make sure drivers are competent before they leave the gates of their depot.”
Rochdale timber firm fined £18K after 16-year-old suffers severe hand injuries
A Rochdale timber mouldings manufacturer has been fined after a young
apprentice lost two fingers of his right hand while working on
machinery. Liam Hagan, a 16-year-old was an apprentice with Dresser
Mouldings (Rochdale) Limited and was working alongside an experienced
colleague on a moulding machine when the incident happened on 23 July
2014.
Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard recently (29 May 2015) that the teenager had been working alongside a colleague on the machine at the company’s Station Yard Sawmill, when a piece of wood jammed and would not feed through properly. The machine was opened to try to rectify the problem. The teenage apprentice was looking inside and trying to help adjust the machine when his gloved right hand caught on one of the rotating cutters. His right hand was severely injured, and he lost the entire middle finger and part of the thumb.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that company had failed to ensure the guards were positioned safely and that a safe system of work was in place.
Dresser Mouldings (Rochdale) Ltd, of Station Yard Sawmill, Wood Street, Rochdale, was fined £18,000 with costs of £844.50 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Emily Osborne, said: “This incident could have been easily prevented if the company had suitable measures in place to ensure workers did not come into contact with the rotating cutters. This would include not allowing apprentices to operate machinery and ensuring the guards on the machine were fitted correctly. There was no safe system of work in place for the task as well as a lack of instructions and training to ensure workers knew how to carry out the task safely. Instead, the firm’s failures led to a young worker suffering a severe injury, losing a finger and part of his thumb.”
CRS believes that incidents like this are avoidable when managers, supervisors and workers understand hazards and how to control them. Our IOSH Managing Safely and IOSH Working Safely courses are the perfect means of providing this information, and making health and safety important to workers at all levels in the organization. Contact us for more details.
Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard recently (29 May 2015) that the teenager had been working alongside a colleague on the machine at the company’s Station Yard Sawmill, when a piece of wood jammed and would not feed through properly. The machine was opened to try to rectify the problem. The teenage apprentice was looking inside and trying to help adjust the machine when his gloved right hand caught on one of the rotating cutters. His right hand was severely injured, and he lost the entire middle finger and part of the thumb.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that company had failed to ensure the guards were positioned safely and that a safe system of work was in place.
Dresser Mouldings (Rochdale) Ltd, of Station Yard Sawmill, Wood Street, Rochdale, was fined £18,000 with costs of £844.50 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Emily Osborne, said: “This incident could have been easily prevented if the company had suitable measures in place to ensure workers did not come into contact with the rotating cutters. This would include not allowing apprentices to operate machinery and ensuring the guards on the machine were fitted correctly. There was no safe system of work in place for the task as well as a lack of instructions and training to ensure workers knew how to carry out the task safely. Instead, the firm’s failures led to a young worker suffering a severe injury, losing a finger and part of his thumb.”
CRS believes that incidents like this are avoidable when managers, supervisors and workers understand hazards and how to control them. Our IOSH Managing Safely and IOSH Working Safely courses are the perfect means of providing this information, and making health and safety important to workers at all levels in the organization. Contact us for more details.
Lincolnshire company fined £187K after worker crushed under forklift truck
A Lincolnshire transport and storage firm has been prosecuted after a
father-of-two died when a metal frame being loaded onto a lorry trailer
fell on top of him. Jonathan Newham, 52, of Skegness, died in hospital
from head and chest crush injuries following the incident at George H
Kime and Co Ltd in Wrangle, near Boston, Lincolnshire, on 10 July 2012.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
and the company was charged with serious safety breaches.
Lincoln Crown Court heard that George H Kime and Co Ltd had transported a consignment of goods from Wiltshire to Wrangle in readiness for the items to be auctioned in Skegness. Mr Newham and a colleague were using forklift trucks to move the goods, which were not on pallets, from the trailer to a second vehicle, as the trailer was needed elsewhere. Mr Newham had moved a large metal-wheeled chassis, also known as a ‘dolly’, from the first trailer. His colleague then attempted to load the dolly onto the second trailer. For unknown reasons, Mr Newham climbed onto the second trailer. As his colleague loaded the dolly onto the trailer with the forklift, it fell off the tines of the forklift truck, trapping and fatally injuring Mr Newham underneath.
HSE’s investigation identified that George H Kime and Co Ltd had failed to ensure the safety of their employees during the movement of the metal dolly. They had failed to plan and supervise the lift and there was no safe system of work in place for the movement of loads not placed on pallets.
The court heard the Company should have made sure there was someone in charge who was qualified to plan the lift to ensure it was suspended securely, and to ensure that the item could be safely placed down after being moved. A properly planned and supervised lift would have resulted in the risks being identified and controlled and exclude people from the area. The court heard that whilst the company had some procedures in place, the absence of strong management systems meant that the Company was complacent about the risks and failed to ensure that the procedures were followed.
George H Kime and Co Ltd of Main Road, Wrangle, was fined £125,000 and ordered to pay £61,935 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
CRS says “Mr Newham’s death was entirely avoidable and his life was needlessly lost. Lifting large, heavy and awkward items requires planning by a competent person and safe systems of work. Lifting operations, which often present severe risks to workers, must be properly planned, controlled and adequately supervised. By taking these steps, businesses can prevent tragic incidents such as this from happening.”
Speaking after the court hearing, Mr Newham’s wife of 33 years, Mrs Gillian Newham, said: “It is difficult to describe what we as a family lost on that terrible day. John and I were very much in love. We had raised a family and now it was our time to do the things we had dreamed about. We had big plans for the house, holidays abroad and were excited about a future that John had worked so hard to provide for. It all ended that day and our hopes and dreams were shattered. John was my strength, my rock and my comforter. He is missed enormously. He was quite simply a marvelous, selfless husband and father.”
Lincoln Crown Court heard that George H Kime and Co Ltd had transported a consignment of goods from Wiltshire to Wrangle in readiness for the items to be auctioned in Skegness. Mr Newham and a colleague were using forklift trucks to move the goods, which were not on pallets, from the trailer to a second vehicle, as the trailer was needed elsewhere. Mr Newham had moved a large metal-wheeled chassis, also known as a ‘dolly’, from the first trailer. His colleague then attempted to load the dolly onto the second trailer. For unknown reasons, Mr Newham climbed onto the second trailer. As his colleague loaded the dolly onto the trailer with the forklift, it fell off the tines of the forklift truck, trapping and fatally injuring Mr Newham underneath.
HSE’s investigation identified that George H Kime and Co Ltd had failed to ensure the safety of their employees during the movement of the metal dolly. They had failed to plan and supervise the lift and there was no safe system of work in place for the movement of loads not placed on pallets.
The court heard the Company should have made sure there was someone in charge who was qualified to plan the lift to ensure it was suspended securely, and to ensure that the item could be safely placed down after being moved. A properly planned and supervised lift would have resulted in the risks being identified and controlled and exclude people from the area. The court heard that whilst the company had some procedures in place, the absence of strong management systems meant that the Company was complacent about the risks and failed to ensure that the procedures were followed.
George H Kime and Co Ltd of Main Road, Wrangle, was fined £125,000 and ordered to pay £61,935 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
CRS says “Mr Newham’s death was entirely avoidable and his life was needlessly lost. Lifting large, heavy and awkward items requires planning by a competent person and safe systems of work. Lifting operations, which often present severe risks to workers, must be properly planned, controlled and adequately supervised. By taking these steps, businesses can prevent tragic incidents such as this from happening.”
Speaking after the court hearing, Mr Newham’s wife of 33 years, Mrs Gillian Newham, said: “It is difficult to describe what we as a family lost on that terrible day. John and I were very much in love. We had raised a family and now it was our time to do the things we had dreamed about. We had big plans for the house, holidays abroad and were excited about a future that John had worked so hard to provide for. It all ended that day and our hopes and dreams were shattered. John was my strength, my rock and my comforter. He is missed enormously. He was quite simply a marvelous, selfless husband and father.”
Wednesday 17 June 2015
Company fined £140,000 after worker crushed under forklift truck
A Leicestershire aluminium fabricator was sentenced today (3 June)
after a worker was crushed under a lifting truck which tipped over while
lifting extruder dies from storage racks.
Stefan Durina, 33, of Beeston, Nottinghamshire, died following the incident at Boal UK Ltd in Shepshed, near Loughborough, on 23 June 2013.
Leicester Crown Court heard that Mr Durina was trapped underneath an overturned hi bay order picker truck he was using to collect or return aluminium extruder dies, types of metal mould, to the racked storage system.
Mr Durina suffered fatal chest and abdominal crush injuries and died from his injuries in hospital the next day.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that the incident was entirely preventable and stemmed from three material breaches of health and safety law. These were inadequate risk assessment for collecting and replacing dies in storage racks, an inadequate safe system of work for the use of a Narrow Aisle High Level Reach Truck and the company’s organisation of lifting operations in the die storage area.
Boal UK Ltd of Ashby Road East, Shepshed, Loughborough, was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay £32,251.31 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
In his sentencing remarks, the Judge stated that Boal UK Ltd fell far short of the applicable standards and in particular, there was a prolonged and very substantial failure on the part of the company in relation to its monitoring, supervision and enforcement of safe working procedures in the die shop.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Berian Price said:
“Mr Durina’s death was entirely preventable and his life was needlessly lost.
“This incident happened because of management’s failure to ensure a safe system of work was in place that was clearly understood and adhered to by employees and supervised by departmental management. This stemmed in part from the lack of appropriate controls to prevent the lifting truck coming into contact with overhead beams, and from poor control of working practices.
“In addition, there was a failure on behalf of management to record and learn from previous near-miss incidents.
“Lifting operations, which often present severe risks to workers, must be properly planned, controlled and adequately supervised. Serious and fatal incidents have occurred due to workers being crushed by lifting equipment
“It is therefore important to properly enforce, plan and organise lifting operations so they are carried out in safe manner. Each of these elements requires a person or people with sufficient competence to be notified at each step.
“For complex and high-risk operations, the planning and organisation should be extensive and meticulous. Duty holders should also consider ‘foreseeable misuse’, such as overloading.”
NEBOSH National General Certificate
Stefan Durina, 33, of Beeston, Nottinghamshire, died following the incident at Boal UK Ltd in Shepshed, near Loughborough, on 23 June 2013.
Leicester Crown Court heard that Mr Durina was trapped underneath an overturned hi bay order picker truck he was using to collect or return aluminium extruder dies, types of metal mould, to the racked storage system.
Mr Durina suffered fatal chest and abdominal crush injuries and died from his injuries in hospital the next day.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that the incident was entirely preventable and stemmed from three material breaches of health and safety law. These were inadequate risk assessment for collecting and replacing dies in storage racks, an inadequate safe system of work for the use of a Narrow Aisle High Level Reach Truck and the company’s organisation of lifting operations in the die storage area.
Boal UK Ltd of Ashby Road East, Shepshed, Loughborough, was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay £32,251.31 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
In his sentencing remarks, the Judge stated that Boal UK Ltd fell far short of the applicable standards and in particular, there was a prolonged and very substantial failure on the part of the company in relation to its monitoring, supervision and enforcement of safe working procedures in the die shop.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Berian Price said:
“Mr Durina’s death was entirely preventable and his life was needlessly lost.
“This incident happened because of management’s failure to ensure a safe system of work was in place that was clearly understood and adhered to by employees and supervised by departmental management. This stemmed in part from the lack of appropriate controls to prevent the lifting truck coming into contact with overhead beams, and from poor control of working practices.
“In addition, there was a failure on behalf of management to record and learn from previous near-miss incidents.
“Lifting operations, which often present severe risks to workers, must be properly planned, controlled and adequately supervised. Serious and fatal incidents have occurred due to workers being crushed by lifting equipment
“It is therefore important to properly enforce, plan and organise lifting operations so they are carried out in safe manner. Each of these elements requires a person or people with sufficient competence to be notified at each step.
“For complex and high-risk operations, the planning and organisation should be extensive and meticulous. Duty holders should also consider ‘foreseeable misuse’, such as overloading.”
NEBOSH National General Certificate
Thursday 11 June 2015
Telford engineering firm fined £12K after worker suffers crush injuries
A lifting company based in Telford has been fined after a beam
weighing two tonnes fell onto an employee causing severe injuries. The
incident on 21 August 2014 occurred at Pelloby Engineering Limited’s
site at Halesfield 19, Telford.
A team of two employees were working in the company’s ‘finishing shop’ moving a seven metre long beam (weighing approximately two tonnes) across the shop floor. The beam was connected to an overhead crane using a single five tonne fabric round sling. During lifting, the sling snapped dropping the load to the floor. It landed on one of the employees pinning him down and crushing his leg and lower torso.
Telford Magistrates Court heard today the workers were steadying the load by hand and not using ‘tag lines’ to keep them out of the danger zone. The employee using the overhead crane had not been formally trained to use it. The sling was also found to be in a poor state of repair and lacked the required LOLER statutory examination report.
Pelloby Engineering Limited of Telford was fined £12,000 with costs of £1057 after pleading guilty of breaching Regulation 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Lyn Mizen said: “This employee has suffered some horrendous injuries as a result of an entirely preventable incident. The employee leading the lifting operation was not trained to use the equipment or to recognise when it was unsafe to use. They were also not informed about the use of ‘tag lines’ which are designed to keep workers out of dangerous areas. Pelloby Engineering Limited fell far below the standards expected of a competent employer, standards which are well publicised and accepted within the industry.”
Henderson Insurance Brokers Limited (HIBL) is determined to ensure that its clients are well-informed on H&S risks such as this one, and are familiar with the legal requirements. Our specialist teams at Corporate Risk Systems Limited and Henderson Risk Management Limited provide expert advice and training to engineering and other companies. Contact Ian Cliffen on 01283 509175 or advice@crsrisk.com if you or your clients would like a no-obligation discussion on health and safety. We provide audits and reviews, H&S training and qualifications, and our popular retained consultant service. See www.crsrisk.com for further information.
A team of two employees were working in the company’s ‘finishing shop’ moving a seven metre long beam (weighing approximately two tonnes) across the shop floor. The beam was connected to an overhead crane using a single five tonne fabric round sling. During lifting, the sling snapped dropping the load to the floor. It landed on one of the employees pinning him down and crushing his leg and lower torso.
Telford Magistrates Court heard today the workers were steadying the load by hand and not using ‘tag lines’ to keep them out of the danger zone. The employee using the overhead crane had not been formally trained to use it. The sling was also found to be in a poor state of repair and lacked the required LOLER statutory examination report.
Pelloby Engineering Limited of Telford was fined £12,000 with costs of £1057 after pleading guilty of breaching Regulation 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Lyn Mizen said: “This employee has suffered some horrendous injuries as a result of an entirely preventable incident. The employee leading the lifting operation was not trained to use the equipment or to recognise when it was unsafe to use. They were also not informed about the use of ‘tag lines’ which are designed to keep workers out of dangerous areas. Pelloby Engineering Limited fell far below the standards expected of a competent employer, standards which are well publicised and accepted within the industry.”
Henderson Insurance Brokers Limited (HIBL) is determined to ensure that its clients are well-informed on H&S risks such as this one, and are familiar with the legal requirements. Our specialist teams at Corporate Risk Systems Limited and Henderson Risk Management Limited provide expert advice and training to engineering and other companies. Contact Ian Cliffen on 01283 509175 or advice@crsrisk.com if you or your clients would like a no-obligation discussion on health and safety. We provide audits and reviews, H&S training and qualifications, and our popular retained consultant service. See www.crsrisk.com for further information.
Monday 8 June 2015
Congratulations Stephen Mullenger - The winner of the CRS NVQ Level 5 Diploma Candidate of the Year 2015 Award
On Friday 29th May Stephen Mullenger collected the coveted CRS NVQ Level 5 Diploma Candidate of the Year 2015 Award at a special presentation held at Sahara Force India F1, Silverstone and was attended by delegates from various sectors including Construction, Manufacturing, Emergency Services, Police and the food industry . Stephen who was nominated by Martyn Grant our Head of Distance learning said “Stephen started his NVQ in OHSP in August 2013 and completed in October 2014. During this time he was employed by Thames Valley Police (TVP), the largest non-metropolitan police force in England & Wales, who employ in the region of 10,000 staff and volunteers. Stephen has the responsibility for the Health & Safety of the more operational side of policing within TVP including work activities such as; surveillance , crime scene investigation , CID, firearms licencing and many other high risk areas. In addition to holding down this extreamly busy post he has completed the qualification to a high standard and within a respectable timeframe.
Stephen was presented the Award by Lisbeth-Faye Strutt – Business Manager for City & Guilds. On receiving the award Stephen said “I would like to say thank you to CRS for nominating me for the totally unexpected award, it is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank my assessor Martyn Grant, I could not of completed the NQV without his encouragement and expert guidance throughout the 14 months it has taken me to complete the diploma.
About 18 months ago I attended an NVQ seminar and was sat exactly where you are now and wondered if I could commit to such an undertaking. I questioned myself whether I had the ability and determination to complete the NVQ. I found the most difficult part was to make the decision to commit and enrol on the course. Once I overcame this personal hurdle I found the remainder of the course relatively easy to complete and as I successfully completed each module, my confidence went from strength to strength as my knowledge and understanding of the subject developed. If you think this NVQ is right for you, I would advise you to enrol as soon as possible and in no time at all you could be in my position here today accepting this award.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all good luck and reiterate my gratitude to CRS and a special mention to Ros Stacey for arranging the special presentation of this award today”.
Wednesday 3 June 2015
Quarrying company fined for ignoring advice
A Mold-based quarry firm has been fined for putting employees, contractors and delivery drivers at risk.
D P Williams Holdings Limited, of Brookside Works, The Nant, Rhydymwyn, Mold, pleaded guilty to continued non-compliance with relevant legislation, despite being warned previously by the health and safety watchdog.
The specialist quarrying company appeared at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court and was fined £5,000 with costs of £2,500. after admitting to breaches of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 11(1)(a) and The Quarries regulations 1999 Regulation 30 (a&b).
The court heard though no one had been injured, the firm was issued with two Prohibition Notices and four Improvement Notices by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors over a period of December 2009 to September 2013 relating to dangerous working conditions at the quarry.
The court also heard the company had previously ignored advice from its own quarry manager and geotechnical specialist about working conditions at the quarry.
D P Williams Holdings Limited, of Brookside Works, The Nant, Rhydymwyn, Mold, pleaded guilty to continued non-compliance with relevant legislation, despite being warned previously by the health and safety watchdog.
The specialist quarrying company appeared at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court and was fined £5,000 with costs of £2,500. after admitting to breaches of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 11(1)(a) and The Quarries regulations 1999 Regulation 30 (a&b).
The court heard though no one had been injured, the firm was issued with two Prohibition Notices and four Improvement Notices by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors over a period of December 2009 to September 2013 relating to dangerous working conditions at the quarry.
The court also heard the company had previously ignored advice from its own quarry manager and geotechnical specialist about working conditions at the quarry.
CRS Support Health & Safety Week – 15th-19th June 2015
CRS are supporting Health & Safety Week as one of the UK’s largest providers of Health & Safety Accredited Training we are offering a 20% discount on any of our Open NEBOSH Courses run at any one of our 10 Training venues across the UK. So from Edinburgh in the North to Southampton in the South there is no better time to ensure that your employees receive the accredited Health & Safety training required under the Health & Safety at work act. With savings of around £250 plus vat per delegate this is a great saving. Courses must be booked during the Health & Safety week (15th-19th June) and must be taken before 1st December. Places limited. Information on Health & Safety week can be found here
Contact our sales team on 01283 509175 and find out more
Tuesday 2 June 2015
A Great turn out for NVQ Level 5 Diploma Seminar – The Best Route to CMIOSH
Corporate Risk Systems Ltd (CRS) Health Safety & Environmental Training Specialists based at Burton on Trent, Staffs ran their second seminar of the year on Friday 29th May at Sahara Force India HQ at Silverstone. The Seminar was run to help employees understand the best routes to Chartered Membership of the Institution of Occupation Health & Safety (CMIOSH) one of the most sought after Health & Safety Qualifications.
The seminar was well represented by delegates from Thames Valley Police Force, Engineering, Oil & Gas, Construction, Fire Rescue and Military sectors who all wanted find out about the best routes and how to get started. Lisbeth-Faye Strutt – Business Manager for City & Guilds gave a short introduction to City and Guilds and their vocational qualifications this was followed by Richard Ball – CRS NVQ Assessor who gave a presentation on the different routes to CMIOSH and how the City & Guilds NVQ level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety is currently the most popular route. As a distance learning course it can be started any time and with no written exams the course works with each individual in their own sector and organisation to achieve the qualification. The course is supported by our Team of CMIOSH tutors and assessors to guide and mentor each individual. After the morning event a buffet lunch was enjoyed by the attendees prior to being presented with a small gift courtesy of Sahara Force India F1. If you missed the event we will be holding another FREE seminar on Wednesday 21st October. If you would like to come then call Ros Stacey – UK Sales Director 01283 509175 or email rs@crsrisk.com to get your name on the guest list. For more information about the best route to CMIOSH or the NVQ Level 5 Diploma contact rs@crsrisk.com
Staffordshire Illegal Waste Site Operator Jailed For Seven Months
A Burton man has been sentenced to seven months in prison after
illegally using land to repeatedly store and burn mixed waste, following a
court hearing at Stafford Crown Court last month.
Robert
Murphy was sentenced on April 30, following a hearing relating to the operation
a waste facility on land close to the A38 at Eggington near Burton-upon-Trent.
Despite a
stop letter issued by the Environment Agency, Murphy used the site over a
15-month period, changing of the locks to the site entrance, the deployment of
CCTV and the deployment of a concrete block to prevent access to the land.
Environment
Agency – “Throughout the investigations Murphy was given a number of
opportunities to stop his illegal activities but continued to show a complete
disregard towards the environment, landowners and authority”
The waste
included metal, wood, electrical items and demolition waste. Stafford
Crown Court decided an immediate custodial sentence was needed due to the
seriousness of the defendant’s actions.
Further
proceedings have been scheduled for 12 June so the landowner can seek
compensation to pay for some of the clean-up costs.
An
Environment Agency officer involved with the investigation said: “Throughout
the investigations Murphy was given a number of opportunities to stop his
illegal activities but continued to show a complete disregard towards the
environment, landowners and authority.
“This
prosecution demonstrates that we take cases such as this very seriously and
will not hesitate to prosecute if necessary, to protect the environment and
local communities.”
Source :CIWM
Recycling Boss Jailed For Selling Old British Armour To Middle East
The boss of a recycling company contracted to dispose of
Ministry of Defence equipment has been jailed for selling British
military armour worth £12m.
Sidney Nicholls, 53, sold old British military equipment, which would be worth £12m new, to the Jordanian Army.
The equipment included helmets and riot shields used in conflicts, as well as body armour subject to strict secrecy rules.
Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith – “If sold outside the MoD system, it would present a serious risk to national security” Worcester Crown Court heard this posed “serious risk” to national security as it would be possible to work out the strength of the armour and calculate what ballistic force would be required to defeat it.
Nicholls, from Stanford Bridge, Worcs, admitted fraud by false representation and was jailed for two years. Nicholls worked for UKBF, a sub-contractor of another recycling firm, in Kidderminster, Worcester. Instead of destroying the equipment, he stockpiled it and agreed to sell them to a broker.
According to the Mirror, the Jordanian Army agreed to pay £250,000, of which Nicholls would receive £100,000. The MoD, however, intercepted the 60 pallets of stock on a ship and Nicholls was arrested.
Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith said: “If sold outside the MoD system, it would present a serious risk to national security.
“It could be possible to work out the strength of British armour and what ballistic force would be required to defeat it.” Shawn Williams, defending, said Nicholls – now bankrupt – said: “He is not a person who is not patriotic.”
Source: CIWM
Sidney Nicholls, 53, sold old British military equipment, which would be worth £12m new, to the Jordanian Army.
The equipment included helmets and riot shields used in conflicts, as well as body armour subject to strict secrecy rules.
Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith – “If sold outside the MoD system, it would present a serious risk to national security” Worcester Crown Court heard this posed “serious risk” to national security as it would be possible to work out the strength of the armour and calculate what ballistic force would be required to defeat it.
Nicholls, from Stanford Bridge, Worcs, admitted fraud by false representation and was jailed for two years. Nicholls worked for UKBF, a sub-contractor of another recycling firm, in Kidderminster, Worcester. Instead of destroying the equipment, he stockpiled it and agreed to sell them to a broker.
According to the Mirror, the Jordanian Army agreed to pay £250,000, of which Nicholls would receive £100,000. The MoD, however, intercepted the 60 pallets of stock on a ship and Nicholls was arrested.
Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith said: “If sold outside the MoD system, it would present a serious risk to national security.
“It could be possible to work out the strength of British armour and what ballistic force would be required to defeat it.” Shawn Williams, defending, said Nicholls – now bankrupt – said: “He is not a person who is not patriotic.”
Source: CIWM
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