Tag Archives: health & safety

Further fall in construction inspections

Construction deaths rise

The number of unannounced construction inspections being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive continued to drop last year according to construction union UCATT. In 2015/16 there was a total of 9,219 inspections compared to 9,656 in 2014/15, a decrease of 4%. The number of construction inspections has been declining steadily in recent years with figures revealing that in three …

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Balfour Beatty fined £2.6 million after worker killed in trench

Construction deaths rise

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions has been fined £2.6 million after an employee was killed when the trench he was working in collapsed on him in Lancashire. On the 14 April 2010, James Sim, a 32-year-old  sub-contractor working on behalf of Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, was working in a trench, laying ducting for new cable for an offshore windfarm that was …

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Barman sentenced for illegally installing gas pipework

Construction deaths rise

A pub worker has been sentenced for illegally installing gas pipework and a gas boiler at a flat in Torquay. Geoffrey Voss, aged 59, who works as a barman at a pub in Torquay, installed the gas pipework and gas boiler at a flat on Old Torwood Road, Torquay despite him holding no competencies in gas work and despite him …

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Construction company fined after worker trips on boot and falls through void

Construction deaths rise

A Derbyshire based construction company has been fined after a worker was seriously injured when he fell through a void. Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how a worker employed by a sub-contractor working for Bowmer and Kirkland Limited, was contracted to pour concrete onto the first floor of a building that was under construction at Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, Edinburgh. The …

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Construction Company Sentenced

Construction deaths rise

A London based construction company has been fined for safety failings. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how RS Construction UK (London) Limited was working at a site on St Dionis Road, London which was inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The inspector found there was an excavation directly behind the front door, which was the only entrance and exit …

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Are you breathing safely?

Learn about asbestos

UKATA explains the importance of following HSG247 guidance – particularly concerning respirators The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has highlighted the importance of government guidelines surrounding Asbestos: The licensed contractors’ guide (HSG247) to ensure proper removal of asbestos. One area of particular concern is people often not being aware of rules on wearing respirators, and thus significantly increasing the risks …

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Demolition Contractor sentenced over multiple safety failings

Construction deaths rise

A Hertfordshire based contractor has been found guilty for a series of safety failings across two separate sites. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a complaint in March 2014 from a member of the public living close to the former Chesham Community Hospital site in Buckinghamshire, concerning activities taking place on the premises. When HSE inspectors arrived they found …

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When asbestos removal goes wrong

asbestos removal

UKATA explains what to do when the best laid plans fail. In the light of several cases where asbestos has been incorrectly removed, or improperly disposed of, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is reminding everyone of best practice on how to handle asbestos and while all steps should be taken to avoid accidents, what needs to be done in …

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Safe as houses (or schools?)

school building closures

The partial collapse of a school wall in Scotland has led to the closure of 17 other schools in Scotland while urgent checks are carried out.  Thankfully nobody was killed or injured in this incident but it does raise some interesting points; first about the design of these 10 year old buildings and also about the inspection during the build. A …

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South Devon plumber left illegal gas work in a dangerous state

Construction deaths rise

An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced for illegally installing a gas boiler and undertaking landlord’s gas safety checks at a tenanted property. The boiler he installed was later classed as dangerous. Christian Winter, 35, trading as CJS Winter Plumbing & Heating Services of Ashburton, Devon installed the gas boiler at a property on Park Road, Kingskerswell. He then undertook …

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Plumber sentenced for not being Gas Safe Registered

Construction deaths rise

A plumber in Essex has been sentenced to a community order after installing gas boilers while not being Gas Safe registered. Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how Martin Law, installed three gas boilers and associated pipework at three premises in Faraday Close, Braintree, and at Sycamore Grove Braintree. A Gas-Safe investigation into the work undertaken at the premises found defects in …

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Sentence after window installer injured at prison

Construction deaths rise

Four different duty holders have been fined after a worker was injured while replacing a window at Leeds prison. Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard how a window on the third floor at Leeds Prison was in need of replacing. Four parties were involved with the installation and all were charged with safety breaches for their part in the incident. Stuart Tombs …

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Construction company fined after worker falls down service shaft

Construction deaths rise

A construction company in Derbyshire has been fined after a worker fell thirteen metres down a service riser shaft. Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard how a 36-year-old worker, who was from Romania, was dismantling falsework (a form of temporary structure) in a building that was under construction at Fletcher Development, De Montfort University, Leicester. An investigation by the Health and Safety …

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National crane company fined £750,000 for two deaths after collapse

Construction deaths rise

Falcon Crane Hire, a national crane hire company has been sentenced for failings that led to the death of two men as a crane collapsed in London. Southwark Crown Court heard crane operator Jonathan Cloke, 37, died after falling from the crane as it collapsed. It fell onto Michael Alexa, 23, a member of the public, and also killed him. …

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Man fined for potentially exposing members of the public to asbestos

Construction deaths rise

A man from County Durham has been fined for potentially exposing members of the public to asbestos fibres during the refurbishment of a residential property on South Parade, Croft on Tees, County Durham. Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard how Peter Wade of Staindrop, was converting an integrated garage into a bedroom at the property. While he was visiting the property for …

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Contractor fined for health and safety failings on roof work

Construction deaths rise

A Bedford based contractor has been fined for failing to comply with a Prohibition Notice, which was served after the contractor was witnessed carrying out roof work in an unsafe manner at Premier Motor Company, Manton Lane, Bedford. Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how tradesman Bernard Buck continued the reroofing work at Premier Motor Company’s Manton Lane site with subcontractors, without …

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