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Unsafe Asbestos Work Results in Fine

By |April 18th, 2017|

Two companies have been fined after unsafe asbestos work was carried out on a property in Leatherhead, Surrey. Staines Magistrates’ Court heard how a licensed asbestos removal contractor, was subcontracted to carry out the work. The contractor removed some asbestos containing materials and agreed to carry out repair works on other water damaged materials within [...]

Impact of Corporate Manslaughter Legislation

By |April 18th, 2017|

The sentencing guidelines have now been in force for some time and we are seeing the impact that they are having. In recent weeks a Manchester building contractor has been sent to jail for eight months for hiring two workers who were not qualified to carry out work at height and failing to provide fall [...]

Company owners given suspended sentences after worker injured

By |March 13th, 2017|

Two owners of Kidderminster based fencing firm Hoo Farm Fencing have been given suspended sentences after a worker was hit by timber posts and frames which fell from a fork lift truck. The worker suffered injuries that still require regular physiotherapy sessions following the incident on 12 February 2016, although the seriousness of the safety [...]

Prison for building Contractor after worker’s fatal fall

By |March 13th, 2017|

A Manchester building contractor has been jailed following the death of a casual labourer who fell nearly seven metres through a fragile roof. The 45-year-old labourer had been carrying out repair work at Witney Mill, Manchester when the incident occurred on 23 November 2013. The contractor had been engaged by the warehouse owner, who believed [...]

Contractor fined for poor asbestos assessment

By |March 13th, 2017|

A Bedfordshire based contractor has been fined after failing to carry out suitable assessment of asbestos removal work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had the demolition work, which was undertaken in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire reported to 16 April 2015 by a member of the public, which prompted an investigation into the work. The investigation found [...]

Health & Safety Related Sentencing Trends

By |January 13th, 2017|

Changes in Sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences are starting to have an impact with health and safety fines totalling £20.6 million being served between February 2016 and August 2016 compared to £14.4 million between February 2015 and August 2015 – a 40% increase. There has also been an impact on individual prosecutions particularly [...]

Property Management Company Fined Following Fall

By |January 13th, 2017|

A property management company has been fined £120,000 after a 29-year-old died falling down a lift shaft, after he became trapped and attempted to escape having been unable to raise the alarm. The incident occurred when two men, one a resident in the building, were trapped in a lift and were unable to raise the alarm. They attempted to escape by forcing the [...]

Jail Term for Plant Hire Manager

By |January 13th, 2017|

The new sentencing guidelines that have seen an increase in fines and possibility of prison sentencing is already having an impact with a number of individuals being prosecuted for breaching health and safety legislation. In one of the latest cases a manager of an access plant hire firm has been sentenced to a maximum penalty [...]

Company director fined after “completely failing in his duties”

By |December 20th, 2016|

A construction company and its managing director have been prosecuted for operating an unsafe construction site during the conversion of a building in Bollington. Both were found guilty of completely failing in their duties to protect the workers or members of the public from harm, and that it was claimed that only luck caused no [...]

Construction company fined after worker injured falling through void

By |April 21st, 2016|

A construction company based in Derbyshire 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 [...]