Health & Safety

Electrician Killed in Stepladder Fall

Construction boss jailed

A Hull based bakery has been fined following the death of a self-employed electrical contractor who died following a stepladder fall from height.

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Is there an alternative to hiring scaffolding?

hiring scaffolding

If you’re hiring scaffolding on a regular basis to do jobs such as window replacements, roofline repairs and even short duration roofing jobs here’s a product we’ve come across that could save you time and money and put you back in control of your work because you will no longer be waiting around for scaffolding.  It’s called the Easi-Dec access …

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Construction company fined after fall leaves joiner paralysed

Construction boss jailed

A construction company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a sub-contracted joiner suffered life-changing injuries. Lincoln Magistrates’ Court heard that construction company Mager Homes Ltd. had been contracted to complete a house build in Tetney, Grimsby. In December 2016, the worker was on the first floor level installing joists and flooring. Whilst laying a floorboard, he stepped back and …

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Seven THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW about Silica Dust

construction sites

According to the HSE, respirable crystalline silica (RCS), often referred to as Silica Dust, is the second biggest risk to construction workers, following asbestos. Knowledge is power when it comes to staying protected, which is why Skill Builder has joined forces with Scott Safety to create this educational video. If you, or anyone you know, works with Silica Dust, please …

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Company Fined After Scaffold Collapse

Construction boss jailed

A Dorset based company has been fined after a scaffold collapsed at an industrial unit in Wallisdown, Poole. Poole Magistrates’ Court heard how Swanage and Dorset Scaffolding and Roofing Limited (SDSRL) had been contracted to erect scaffolding at the industrial unit in Alder Hills Business Park, Wallisdown, Poole to provide edge protection for work to be carried out on the …

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Bosch launches active integrated dust extractor

integrated dust extractor

‘Look after your health – it’s your greatest asset,’ is the message to trade professionals from Bosch as it launches the GDE 18V-76 Professional Dust Extractor. Designed as an active integrated attachment for all Bosch GBH 18V-26 (F) Professional Rotary Hammer Drills, its development ls part of a continuing drive by the manufacturer to minimise dust-related illness. While asbestos is …

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“Dust extraction has to be top priority for the trade”

Dust extraction

Jay Hounsell, a Herts-based carpenter and business owner, explains why he believes dust extraction should be the number one priority for everyone in the trade.    He says: “I’ve been working in the carpentry industry for 20-odd years. My new company – The Hertfordshire Kitchen Company – has been going for two years and is successfully placing itself in the …

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Worker Killed by Collapsing Trench Wall

Construction boss jailed

A North East based company Mike Neesam & Son Limited has been fined after a collapsing trench wall which led to the death of 43-year old Steven Ratcliffe. Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how Mr Radcliffe an employee of Mike Neesam & Son had been working on a toilet refurbishment project on Hall Hill Farm County Durham, when he attempted to …

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Heavy duty safety barrier

safety barrier

The Oxford Plastics Strong Wall Heavy Duty plastic Pedestrian
 Safety Barrier is a robust and stable
 barrier system which is designed to meet the demands of
 providing safe access for pedestrians through 
construction works. The barrier comes with an 18kg base which ensures that
 the barrier is stable in windy conditions. Strongwall features include: • Compliant with Chapter 8 Streetworks …

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Scaffolding alternative supplied

Scaffolding alternative

Easi-Dec, the working at height safety specialist, has supplied Everest with 72 Roofline systems to provide installation teams with a safe, efficient and cost effective solution for accessing roofline level when carrying out gutter, soffit and fascia replacements. After working with scaffolding for several years, Everest investigated alternative working at height solutions. Having approached Easi-Dec about its Roofline system, the …

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Firm Fined After Exposing Workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Construction boss jailed

An engineering firm has been fined for failing to control the risk to employees using handheld power tools from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Manchester and Salford Magistrates heard how Newfield Fabrications Co Ltd (NFCL) failed to ensure the risks to its employees from exposure was adequately controlled. The company also failed to ensure its employees were given sufficient information, …

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Workplace fatality figures reveal need for modern training methods

Workplace fatality figures

The construction industry must do more to ensure health and safety compliance and avoid incidents, according to specialist training provider Develop Training Limited (DTL). The company’s comments follow publications of the Health & Safety Executive’s annual workplace fatality figures, which revealed that across the UK, more than 135 workers were fatally injured between April 2016 and March 2017 with the …

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Contractor fined £10,000 after electrician is paralysed falling off own ladder

Construction boss jailed

London contractor Meadows WR LLP (MWR) has been fined after a 60 year-old man fell off a ladder, through an opening and down to the lower floor of a house in St Albans. St Albans Crown Court heard how the 60-year-old man, Mr Kundi, died three years after the incident. MWR contracted him to part demolish and refurbish a property …

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Company fined after 500 scaffolding fixings dropped on workers

scaffolding fixings dropped

Two South West based companies have been fined after a 44-year old woman was struck by scaffolding. Weymouth Magistrates’ Court heard how employees of Carter Training Ltd were using a mobile crane on the building project in Queen Mothers Square, Poundbury, Dorchester when the attachment holding 500 scaffolding fittings weighing 2kg each was turned on its side emptying all contents …

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UK Government urged to end health and safety deregulation following Grenfell Tower blaze

health and safety deregulation

The UK Government has been urged to scrap its approach to deregulation of health and safety legislation in the light of the Grenfell Tower blaze. In an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, over 70 leading organisations and figures from the UK’s safety and health profession have jointly called for a political sea change in attitude towards health and …

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Company & Contractor Fined After Member of Public Struck by Fencing Wire

Construction boss jailed

A civil engineering company (R M Contractors Limited aka RMC), and a contractor working on behalf of a tree surgery company Complete Tree Services (CTS) have been sentenced after a member of the public was injured by fencing wire. Redditch Magistrates’ Court heard a member of the public was in her garden, when she was sprayed with pieces of fencing …

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