SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 12
Download to read offline
It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never
Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to
Me “It’ll Never Happen to Me” It’ll
Never Happen to Me It’ll Never
Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to
Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll
Never Happen to Me It’ll Never
Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to
Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll
Never Happen to Me It’ll Never
Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to
Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll
Never Happen to Me It’ll Never
Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to
Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll
Never Happen to Me It’ll Never
Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER
OF RAINHAM INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD
STRIPE SPONSORS FOR THE BLOODHOUND SUPERSONIC CAR
Week 45 Sunday, October 31, 2010 C.P. Boocock
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 2 of 12
COMMENT
It’s excellent to begin with good news for once.
Beginning this week with a copy of an e-mail to our
John Staples from Mick Thompson, the Sub contract
Co-ordinator for Alstom Power Services at the Isle of
Grain LNG Site commenting on our scaffold gang
there:
• Stephan Ulatowski
• Brian Ulatowski
• Martin George
• Ian Hennessey
And as Mr. Thompson recognizes, it far easier to
criticise than it is to compliment, and comments such
as his are not only a compliment for the lads, but also
encourage further safe behaviours.
Coincidentally I’ve had occasion to review and
consolidate some of our Toolbox Talks of the most
recent one is “Raising & Lowering Scaffold
Materials”. I appreciate all the safety alerts I receive,
and so as I work through these toolbox talks I’m
content to share them.
Whilst we‘d certainly expect scaffolders to know this
– I find the sharing of such information most useful to
those who employ or work alongside or scaffolders.
Following on from Lord Young’s report and my
commentary last week, I came across this piece of
guidance (attached) on the DirectGov website
“Clearing Snow & Ice Yourself”. I have to ask myself –
is this the best use of public money – to provide
advice such as this – but this is unfortunately a
symptom of the alleged compensation culture and
the fear by householders of personal injury lawyers.
Health & Safety Statistics
HSE published their statistics for 2009 -10 this week.
Key annual figures 2009/10
1.3 million people who worked during the last year
were suffering from an illness (long standing as well
as new cases) they believed was caused or made
worse by their current or past work. 555 000 of
these were new cases
152 workers were killed at work, a rate of 0.5 per 100
000 workers (or one in every 200.thousand workers
killed)
121,430 other injuries to employees were reported
under RIDDOR, a rate of 473 per 100,000 employees
233,000 reportable injuries occurred, according to
the Labour Force Survey, a rate of 840 per 100,000
workers
28.5 million days were lost overall (1.2 days per
worker), 23.4 million due to work-related ill health
and 5.1 million due to workplace injury
In his autobiography Mark Twain stated
"Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have
the arranging of them myself; in which case the
remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with
justice and force: 'There are three kinds of lies: lies,
damned lies, and statistics.'"
It’s not fair to ridicule the statistics as they’ve been
compiled by professional statisticians (which was a
science [or art] I could never master), and they will
have been scrutinised and tested
FIG. 1 Shows the clear legacy of asbestos as it
continues to take its toll, with deaths from
Mesothelioma not expected to peak until 2016.
FIG. 5&6 We can see that the injuries reported
under RIDDOR are about half of those reported by
the Labour Force Survey – although the gap between
the RIDDOR figures and the Labour Force survey are
narrowing – albeit slowly. As we read last week one
of Lord Young’s recommendations was to increase
the 3 day LTA to a 7 day LTA. I’ve not worked
through the effect of this as yet.
FIG. 7&8 From 2005-6 the number of enforcement
notices has increased and yet the number of
prosecutions has remained steady / fallen. I’m not
sure what we can read into this as a reflection on
both workplace safety and the work of the HSE.
FIG. 10 The accompanying text states:
“Industry sectors with ill health rates statistically
significantly higher than the rate for all industries
were health and social work, and public
administration.”
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 3 of 12
“For injuries, agriculture, transport, storage and
communication and construction had statistically
significantly higher rates than for all industry.”
I guess there’s nothing surprising about these
statements, but in the first paragraph, public
administration does of course include Her Majesty’s
Health & Safety Executive!
FIG. 13 It appears overall that reportable / reported
injuries are falling, whereas the number of fatalities
remains stubbornly flat. And with 152 people killed
at work in 2009-10.
And my way of looking at this it to take a year of 365
days, and take away 52 weekends, which leaves 261
working days.
If we now take away say 6 five day weeks to allow for
holidays & Christmas etc. we’re left with 231 working
days. And dividing 152 into 231 gives us 1.5 people
being killed at work each way.
Now I don’t mean that someone leaves work “half
dead” – but THREE PEOPLE ARE KILLED AT WORK
EVERY TWO DAYS.
But as I continue to say, it’s not just the fatality – it’s
the Mothers, Fathers, Sons Daughters., Brothers &
Sisters that are affected.
And one of the saddest figures is the number of
people at work who are disabled, disfigured and
diseased, and being unable to work lose their dignity,
and take their own lives…
And yet we read the H&SE will be subject to a 35%
budget cut.
But back to the good news.
Regards (and Déjà Vu!)
Chris
FROM MICHAEL THOMPSON- ALSTOM POWER SERVICES:
John
All too often nowadays people are keen to write/e-mail with complaints about quality of service, bad attitude,
slack Health and safety etc etc.
However I thought I would take some time to let you know that I have been observing your team of guys on
our project for the past few days on the Pipe bridge on C2 and I have nothing but praise for their professional
attitude towards the work and the clients. They all appear keen, knowledgeable about their craft, respectful
of the environment i.e. location and clients. They all have and use the appropriate PPE and are obliging and
accommodating to the needs of the project.
Their health and safety is evident with the appropriate use of harnesses and lanyards and although these are
early days I hope that they will continue in this manner.
A well done is deserved to the following, in no particular order! Who I understand will be our base crew on
site when required.
• Stephan Ulatowski
• Brian Ulatowski
• Martin George
• Ian Hennessey
If they continue in this manner I will look forward to working with them further on the other sections.
Please feel free to pass this on to the guy's credit where credit is due.
Regards
Mick Thompson
Sub contract Co-ordinator, Alstom Power Services
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 4 of 12
COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEW – H&SE BUDGET CUT BY 35%
However, other stakeholders expressed reservations
about how the improvements can be sustained, given
the recently announced 35-per-cent cut in the HSE’s
budget.
IOSH’s policy and technical director, Richard Jones,
said the key to making sure the figures don’t rise next
year is to maintain the resources the regulator
currently has to do this.
He added:
“Cuts to the HSE don’t just risk livelihoods, they
risk the lives of the people we are trying to
protect.
And if inspectors are forced off the front line to
complete the paperwork that a declining admin
staff would previously have done, we could
potentially see a hockey-stick effect, where death
and injury rates increase once more.
“The UK workforce needs a properly resourced
HSE and effective workplace management for
these downward trends to continue.”
The TUC’s Brendan Barber said the budget cut is:
“… likely to make the situation worse, with less
guidance, fewer inspections and less enforcement
across the board.
This will mean higher illness rates, more days lost
through sickness absence and, most importantly,
more workers killed, injured, or made ill as a
result of their work.”
The HSE did not want to comment while the exact
nature of the cost cuts has yet to be determined,
other than to say that:
“The DWP has said that in seeking to achieve
savings of at least 35 per cent over the SR10
period, we will share more of the costs with those
businesses who create the risks, while reducing
burdens on low-risk businesses.
The [HSE] Board will be advising further on how
this might be achieved.”
SHP MAGAZINE
FOUR METRE LONG GIRDER PLUMMETS THROUGH ESTATE AGENTS
A steel company has been FINED £15,000 after a four-metre-long
metal girder crashed through the roof of a Preston estate agents
narrowly missing two office workers.
THE STEEL BEAM RESTING ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE PRESTON ESTATE AGENTS
The steel beam fell about 25 metres
from a crane and smashed through
the roof and three floors of Garside
Waddingham estate agents in Fleet
Street on 16 January 2010.
POCKLINGTON STEEL STRUCTURES
LTD was prosecuted by the HSE
following an investigation into what
caused the 80 kilogram girder – the
equivalent weight of an average UK
man – to fall from the crane.
Preston Magistrates’ Court heard
that two female employees were
working in the ground floor shop
when the incident happened.
The girder was one of 18 similar
steel beams to be lifted by the
crane that morning.
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 5 of 12
The company had spent the morning lifting girders at a 45-degree
angle to fit into the new hotel structure.
But HSE found that nothing was done to stop the girders slipping
through the chains wrapped around them. The investigation
concluded the beams should have been lifted when level and not at an
angle.
THE BUILDING SITE AND THREE OF THE FLOORS WHICH THE STEEL BEAM DAMAGED
Pocklington Steel should also have ensured the girders could not slip
out of the chains by attaching shackles in holes drilled through them,
as they were being lifted near to the public and other buildings.
Anthony Polec, the investigating inspector at HSE, said:
“It must have been terrifying for the staff on duty in the estate
agents that day when they suddenly heard and then saw a steel
girder crashing down next to their desks, right where the public
normally stand.
“It was only by chance that the
incident happened on a Saturday
when fewer staff were at work,
and that no members of the
public were in the building at the
time.
For such a high lift, near to
people on the ground, it is
simply not good enough to wrap
chains around girders, in a so-
called choke hitch, without
securing them.
“Two office workers had a lucky
escape but several people could
easily have been killed.
It’s vital construction companies
make sure they use cranes safely
to prevent similar incidents
happening again.”
Pocklington Steel Structures Ltd
admitted breaching SECTION 3(1)
OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT
WORK ETC ACT 1974 by putting the
lives of workers and the public at
risk.
It was also ordered to PAY £6,706
TOWARDS THE COST of the
prosecution in addition to the fine.
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
WORKER SNAPS WRIST AFTER GLOVE TANGLED IN DRILL
A Cardiff manufacturing firm has been fined after a
worker broke his wrist when his glove became
entangled in an unguarded drill.
The HSE prosecuted ELMATIC (CARDIFF) LTD following
the incident at its factory in Wentloog Road, Rumney
on 11 March 2009.
Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard that 21-year-old
employee Lee Baker had been asked to drill holes in
metal boxes despite not usually working with the drill
and having no formal training on how to use it.
The pillar drill Mr Baker was using did not have an
appropriate guard fitted and when positioning one of
the components for drilling his glove became tangled.
He fractured his wrist in two places and needed to
have plates inserted.
HSE had previously taken formal action against the
company, in 2002 and 2009, to ensure that drills
were adequately guarded.
Elmatic (Cardiff) Ltd pleaded guilty to a charge under
REGULATION 11 OF THE PROVISION AND USE OF WORK
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 6 of 12
EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998. They were FINED
£8,000 and ordered to pay £6,691.45 COSTS.
HSE inspector Hugh Emment said:
“HSE has warned this company before about not
providing suitable guards on drills of this type,
and while they did initially heed these warnings,
the safety standards were not maintained.
“Mr Baker had not been trained to use this drill,
nor had he been told about the dangers of
wearing gloves while using drills.
This is a well known risk in the manufacturing
industry, and it resulted in a serious injury to Mr
Baker.”
In March 2002, Elmatic (Cardiff) Ltd received an
immediate prohibition notice relating to the use and
guarding of three pillar drills, and this was followed
by written advice from an HSE inspector.
During the investigation in to the incident on 11
March 2009 the company received an immediate
prohibition notice, on 24 April 2009, for failures
relating to guarding on a pillar drill and deficiencies in
operator training.
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
COMPANY FINED AFTER DEATH OF DONCASTER WORKER AT IMMINGHAM
A Durham company has been FINED £120,000 at
Grimsby Crown Court after safety failings led to the
death of a man at its coal processing plant in
Immingham.
HARGREAVES (UK) SERVICES LTD a major energy
support services company, pleaded guilty to a breach
of the HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974.
The company was also ordered to pay £35,000 IN
COSTS.
The prosecution followed the death of Alan Noddle,
who suffered fatal injuries when he was run over by a
loading shovel on 20 July 2007.
Mr Noddle worked as maintenance fitter for
Hargreaves’ sister company, Norec Ltd, and was
working at the Hargreaves’ Astra Site at Immingham
Docks on the day of the fatal incident.
He died when he was struck by a large loading shovel
being used to transfer coal from one area of the plant
to another.
The driver of the vehicle could not see Mr Noddle as
he walked across the stockyard because the large
bucket on the loading shovel blocked his view.
After the hearing HSE Inspector Geoffrey Clark said:
“This is a tragic case where a man died as a result
of dangerous practices at the site.
The loading shovel severely obscured the driver’s
view, yet despite this it was common practice for
employees to be allowed to walk in the area
where these machines were being operated.
“Workplace transport is one of HSE’s priorities, as
transport injuries are a major cause of death and
injury in the workplace.
Although this is an extreme case, I would urge all
employers to be aware of the dangers of moving
vehicles of all sizes and to put appropriate
measures in place to segregate people from
moving vehicles to prevent another tragedy from
happening.”
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 7 of 12
MERSEYSIDE HEAD FINED AFTER PUPIL SUFFERS PERMANENT INJURIES
A Merseyside headteacher has been FINED £20,000 after one of his
students suffered permanent injuries when he fell through the school
roof.
The HSE prosecuted JOHN SUMMERFIELD who is now retired, after he
led a group of teenagers onto a roof at Sacred Heart Catholic College
on Liverpool Road in Crosby.
He was found guilty of a health and safety offence following a trial at
Liverpool Crown Court.
The court heard that Mr Summerfield had taken the group of students
onto the roof on 14 August 2008 on the day of their A Level results.
One of the 18-year-old students, who has asked not to be named,
fractured his skull, broke his ribs, perforated an eardrum and suffered
permanent damage to his right eye when he fell 2.5 metres through a
roof light.
The roof light which replaced the one the 18-year-old fell through
Mr Summerfield was found guilty of breaching SECTION 7(A) OF THE
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 by failing to protect the
safety of his students when he decided to allow them onto the roof.
He was ordered to PAY £22,708
TOWARDS THE COST of the
prosecution, in addition to the fine,
on 29 October 2010.
Mike Sebastian, HSE Principal
Inspector in Merseyside, said:
“John Summerfield wanted to
show his students a part of the
school they had never seen but it
left one of them suffering a
permanent injury to his eye.“The
roof was kept out of bounds for
a reason.
As the headteacher, Mr
Summerfield should have
thought about the possible
consequences before deciding to
take them through two locked
doors onto the roof.
“Students should expect to be in
a safe environment when they’re
at school and look to their
teachers for guidance on what is
and what isn’t safe.
Sadly, a pupil suffered serious
injuries because of the poor
judgement of his headteacher,
and is unlikely to ever fully
recover.”
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
ROOFING FIRM PROSECUTED AFTER WORKERS' LIVES PUT AT RISK
A Merseyside roofing firm has been sentenced after it allowed two
employees to work dangerously on the roof of a detached house in
Wirral.
FURBER ROOFING LTD was prosecuted after a HSE inspector spotted the
workers carrying out roof and chimney repairs to a house on
Dovepoint Road in Meols on 28 January 2010.
HSE Inspector Nicholas Mostyn
immediately asked the workers to
come down from the roof, and
issued a prohibition notice stopping
the work until measures to prevent
a fall had been put in place.
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 8 of 12
The men were working nearly five metres above the ground, with no
scaffolding or edge protection around the roof to prevent a fall.
Wirral Magistrates’ Court heard that Furber Roofing had also been
served with a prohibition notice less than three months earlier, on 19
November 2009, over a similar incident.
Furber Roofing was found guilty of two health and safety offences
after it failed to carry out a risk assessment, or take suitable and
sufficient measures to prevent a fall.
The company, which employs 18 workers and has an annual turnover
of £750,000, was FINED £2,000 and ordered to pay COSTS OF £1,500.
A WORKER BALANCES ON THE ROOF OF A DETACHED HOUSE IN WIRRAL
HSE Inspector Nicholas Mostyn said:
“This prosecution arises out of a lack of planning for the work, and
resulted in the lives of two employees at Furber Roofing being put
at risk.
“The company had provided a
tower scaffold for their
employees but it couldn’t be
used to carry out the work
because of the garage attached
to the house.
They would have known this if
they had properly assessed and
planned the work in advance.
“Every job is different and
companies therefore need to
make sure safety measures,
specific to each site, are
implemented.
Each year, 11 roofers are killed
as the result a fall. It is only luck
that neither of Furber Roofing’s
employees were injured on this
occasion.”
Furber Roofing was charged with
breaching REGULATION 6(3) OF THE
WORK AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS
2005, and REGULATION 3(1) OF THE
MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND
SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS
1999.
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
PRINTING FIRM FINED AFTER EMPLOYEES INJURE HANDS
An Essex company has been fined after two
employees had their hands crushed by printing
presses within months of each other.
Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how the workers
at the printers and binders WYNDEHAM HERON LTD
had been working with machines, when their hands
became trapped.
On 27 March 2009, Press Assistant Paul Howard
fractured his thumb when he tried to clear a paper
jam in the stacker unit of a press at the company’s
site.
Later the same year, on 18 November, Mark Frost
was working on another press when a problem was
experienced with the drive belts of a conveyer.
The moving parts were unguarded and it had become
common practice for employees to use objects, or
their hands, to deal with conveyer belt problems.
While attempting to remedy the problem, Mr Frost
hand became caught in the belts and was forced
against a roller crushing his fingers.
The investigation and prosecution by the HSE found a
lack of training, supervision and appropriate
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 9 of 12
equipment, and that there had been no assessment
on how to carry out the work safely in either case.
Wyndeham Heron appeared at Chelmsford
Magistrates’ Court and admitted two charges of
breaching SECTION 2(1) HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
ETC. ACT 1974.
The company was FINED £15,000 with £2,490 COSTS
for the charge relating to Mr Frost’s injury and a
FURTHER £10,000 with £3,171 COSTS in relation to
Mr Howard’s injury.
HSE inspector, Paul Grover, said:
“Incidents like this are entirely preventable.
Printing presses are a potentially very dangerous
piece of equipment, which require adequate
guards and safe working procedures for dealing
with every kind of operational occurrence.
It is not good enough to rely on ad hoc practices
to clear paper jams and to deal with other
mechanical failures.
“Employers must ensure that appropriate
training, supervision and equipment are provided.
A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must also
be carried out.
Advice and guidance is available and easily
accessible to help duty holders comply with the
law and keep people safe.
Where appropriate, HSE will not hesitate to take
action against employers failing to comply with
the law.”
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
CONSTRUCTION FIRMS FINED OVER LANCASHIRE WORKER’S DEATH
Two Lancashire companies have been sentenced following the death
of a construction worker in Altham near Accrington.
FATAL FALL
The HSE prosecuted HOWORTH SCAFFOLDING SERVICES LTD and
GLENMILL GROUP (DEVELOPMENTS) LTD after Peter Walton fell five
metres from scaffolding on Altham Industrial Estate, Sykeside Drive on
10 May 2006.
The 55-year-old had been working on a project to build three new
office blocks when he fell.
Preston Crown Court heard that Mr Walton was critically injured when
an unsecured board on the scaffolding gave way.
He died five weeks later in hospital.
His widow, Christine Walton, said:
“It has been four long, stressful
years since the incident that
eventually took Peter's life.
He meant everything to me and I
will love, miss and mourn him
for the rest of my life.
“I know that the conclusion of
this prosecution won't bring him
back but it will help to give me
some sort of closure, and to
bring this type of incident to the
forefront.
Sadly Peter's death is just one of
many needless deaths that occur
in the construction industry due
to slack adherence to health and
safety regulations.
“Hopefully what happened to
Peter, and is still happening on
construction sites, will make
people realise that health and
safety laws are there to protect
us and are not to be scorned and
scoffed at.”
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 10 of 12
Howorth Scaffolding Services Ltd and Glenmill Group (Developments)
Ltd both pleaded guilty to breaching SECTION 3(1) OF THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 by putting workers at risk.
Howorth Scaffolding was FINED £25,000 was ordered to PAY £13,793
TOWARD THE COST of the prosecution. Glenmill Group was ordered to
pay a nominal FINE OF £1 with COSTS OF £13,793. The judge said the
fines reflect the companies’ current financial situations.
HSE Inspector Ian Connor said:
“Both these companies contributed to Peter Walton’s death by
failing to follow the proper safety procedures for putting up
scaffolding.
“Howorth Scaffolding should have made sure that it constructed
the scaffolding properly.
And, as the principal contractor
for the site, Glenmill Group
should have ensured it was safe
before allowing construction
workers onto it.
“This is an extremely sad case
which once again shows how
important it is to follow health
and safety regulations.
It’s vital that construction
companies do more to prevent
deaths and injuries in the
future.”
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
ROOFER SENTENCED AFTER WORKERS' LIVES PUT AT RISK
A roofer has appeared in court after four of his employees were
spotted balancing dangerously on a barn roof in Cheshire.
BARN ROOF DANGER
JOSEPH JONES was prosecuted by the HSE after an inspector visited
Norley Bank Farm in Norley, on 23 February 2009. He found Mr Jones
giving instructions to the men, who were working approximately four
metres above the ground, while they refurbished the roof.
Halton magistrates court in Runcorn heard that HSE Inspector John
Ellis immediately requested that the workers come down from the
roof.
He then issued a Prohibition Notice requiring work to stop until
scaffolding or edge protection had been put up at the eaves of the
roof.
HSE took the decision to prosecute
due to the serious nature of the
health and safety breach, and the
potential risk to the lives of
workers.
Mr Jones pleaded guilty to
breaching REGULATION 6(3) OF THE
WORK AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS
2005.
He was FINED £1,000 and ordered
to pay COSTS OF £1,000.
HSE Inspector John Ellis said:
“Any of Mr Jones’ four
employees could have suffered a
serious injury as a result of
falling from the barn roof.
Each year 11 roofers are killed as
the result a fall. It is only luck
that none of the men were
injured on this occasion.
“Mr Jones admitted in his
interview with HSE that this
project was larger than he
normally carried out, and that in
hindsight it was impossible to
carry out the work without
scaffolding.
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 11 of 12
“We publish free clear advice on the measures need when carrying
out roof work. Mr Jones should have been aware of the expected
standards.”
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
NORTH YORKSHIRE FARMER PROSECUTED AFTER WORKER LOSES LIMB
A hired farm worker’s leg had to be amputated after
he attempted to clear a blockage on a harvesting
machine while the blades were still rotating.
The man who does not wish to be named, was
employed to help cut forage maize at Skipsters Hagg
Farm at Appleton-le-Moors, near Pickering, on 9
November 2009.
The HSE prosecuted PETER TURNBULL, a partner in
family-run farming firm GR TURNBULL & SONS, after
investigating the incident.
Scarborough Magistrates Court heard the worker was
driving a silage trailer while Peter Turnbull was
driving the forage harvester in the same field.
When a blockage occurred in the cutting disc of the
harvester, Peter Turnbull attempted to clear the
blockage by reversing the drive mechanism.
When that failed, he left his seat to clear it by hand,
leaving the machine running.
The hired worker came to assist but while in the
process of clearing the blockage the man’s leg was
caught in the harvester’s rotating cutting discs.
The resulting injury was so serious that, paramedics
including an Air Ambulance crew, made a decision to
amputate the limb at the scene.
Peter Turnbull was prosecuted by the HSE for a
breach of the PROVISION AND USE OF WORK
REGULATIONS 1998 for allowing someone under his
control to enter a danger zone while dangerous parts
were still operating.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was FINED
£10,000 and ordered to pay £1,698 IN COSTS.
After the hearing HSE inspector Charlie Callis said:
“Incidents of this kind are all too common in the
farming industry, and the outcomes are inevitably
equally horrific.
“Farmers are under pressure to bring in the crop
and time spent shutting down and making safe a
machine may, incorrectly, be considered time
wasted.
Taking unnecessary risks like this is never a
sensible option, and Mr Turnbull could and should
have done more to mitigate those risks.
“HSE is working hard to reduce deaths, injuries
and ill health in agriculture, but we need farmers,
farm owners and workers to do their bit by
following basic safety guidelines and
implementing safe working procedures at all
times.”
Farming is now officially the UK’s most dangerous
industry on a ratio of deaths and injury per size of
workforce.
HSE initiatives to improve safety include the award-
winning MAKE THE PROMISE campaign, which
encourages farmers to make a pledge to ‘COME
HOME SAFE’ by keeping safety in their thoughts at all
times.
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
BURNLEY FIRM FINED £16K AFTER WORKERS' HEARING PUT AT RISK
A Burnley manufacturing company has been FINED £16,000 after it
ignored a formal warning about noise levels at its factory.
The HSE prosecuted EQUESTRIAN SURFACES LTD for putting its
employees’ hearing at risk, despite being given two extensions to an
Improvement Notice requiring a reduction in their daily noise
exposure levels.
Staff at the factory which makes
flooring surfaces for horse riding
centres, were required to work for
several hours a day near a
granulator machine as loud as a
chainsaw.
Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45
Page 12 of 12
The machine uses metal blades to shred material into tiny pieces and
can reach volumes up to at 98 decibels.
THE MACHINE AT THE BURNLEY FACTORY WHICH CAUSED WORKERS TO BE EXPOSED
TO HIGH NOISE LEVELS
Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard that the company failed to put any
practical measures in place to reduce workers’ exposure to noise, even
after receiving an Improvement Notice and being given advice from a
specialist HSE inspector.
A further HSE visit with an independent scientist showed that,
although some changes had been made, the employees’ daily noise
exposure remained high and the changes fell short of what could and
should have been achieved.
HSE Inspector Matthew Lea said:
“This prosecution highlights the responsibilities that employers
have to looking after their employees.
“Noise-induced hearing loss is a
degenerative condition and the
ear cannot repair itself.
It’s therefore important that
employers take these dangers
seriously as there is no going
back once hearing is damaged.
“The Control of Noise at Work
Regulations require employers
to put measures in place to
ensure that their employees can
work safely, without putting
their hearing at risk.
“Equestrian Surfaces could have
taken a number of simple
practical steps to reduce noise
exposure but chose instead to
rely on just using basic ear
protectors, which in effect is the
last line of defence.”
Equestrian Surfaces Ltd pleaded
guilty to breaching SECTION 33(1)
(G) OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT
WORK ETC ACT 1974 for failing to
comply with an Improvement
Notice.
The manufacturer was also ordered
to pay £11,000 towards the cost of
the prosecution.
HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Making Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American Youth
Making Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American YouthMaking Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American Youth
Making Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American Youthsondramilkie
 
11 2-10 ratios and proportions
11 2-10 ratios and proportions11 2-10 ratios and proportions
11 2-10 ratios and proportionschelbs
 
Integrating Sustainability-4
Integrating Sustainability-4Integrating Sustainability-4
Integrating Sustainability-4sondramilkie
 
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-4
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-42010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-4
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-4sondramilkie
 
Regulatory affairs consultants vector pharma
Regulatory affairs consultants vector pharmaRegulatory affairs consultants vector pharma
Regulatory affairs consultants vector pharmaFarr50rocks
 
Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2
Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2
Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2sondramilkie
 
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposiumsondramilkie
 
Understanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal Justice
Understanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal JusticeUnderstanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal Justice
Understanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal Justicesondramilkie
 
Witch's hats exhibition
Witch's hats exhibitionWitch's hats exhibition
Witch's hats exhibitionJoininVisconde
 
"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension
"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension
"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extensionsondramilkie
 
Nutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and Training
Nutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and TrainingNutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and Training
Nutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and Trainingsondramilkie
 
Risk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women Farmers
Risk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women FarmersRisk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women Farmers
Risk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women Farmerssondramilkie
 
Scholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott Peters
Scholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott PetersScholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott Peters
Scholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott Peterssondramilkie
 
Rute media festival presentation
Rute media festival presentationRute media festival presentation
Rute media festival presentationrutelopes95
 
Integrating Sustainability-3
Integrating Sustainability-3Integrating Sustainability-3
Integrating Sustainability-3sondramilkie
 
Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...
Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...
Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...sondramilkie
 
The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2
The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2
The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2sondramilkie
 
Using Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting Information
Using Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting InformationUsing Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting Information
Using Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting Informationsondramilkie
 

Viewers also liked (20)

Making Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American Youth
Making Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American YouthMaking Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American Youth
Making Connections and Creating Solidarity with African American Youth
 
11 2-10 ratios and proportions
11 2-10 ratios and proportions11 2-10 ratios and proportions
11 2-10 ratios and proportions
 
Integrating Sustainability-4
Integrating Sustainability-4Integrating Sustainability-4
Integrating Sustainability-4
 
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-4
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-42010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-4
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium-4
 
Regulatory affairs consultants vector pharma
Regulatory affairs consultants vector pharmaRegulatory affairs consultants vector pharma
Regulatory affairs consultants vector pharma
 
Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2
Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2
Complex Systems & Focused Solutions-2
 
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium
2010 Department of Community Resource Development Symposium
 
Understanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal Justice
Understanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal JusticeUnderstanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal Justice
Understanding the System: Creating Impacts in Criminal Justice
 
"Power of Wind"
"Power of Wind""Power of Wind"
"Power of Wind"
 
Witch's hats exhibition
Witch's hats exhibitionWitch's hats exhibition
Witch's hats exhibition
 
"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension
"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension
"Everybody is a Somebody" A Dialogue on Classism in Cooperative Extension
 
Nutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and Training
Nutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and TrainingNutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and Training
Nutrient Management: Education, On-farm Research, and Training
 
Risk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women Farmers
Risk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women FarmersRisk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women Farmers
Risk Management Education for Wisconsin's Women Farmers
 
Conservation Tech
Conservation TechConservation Tech
Conservation Tech
 
Scholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott Peters
Scholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott PetersScholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott Peters
Scholarship as Collaborative Public Work: Extension's Unique Niche--Scott Peters
 
Rute media festival presentation
Rute media festival presentationRute media festival presentation
Rute media festival presentation
 
Integrating Sustainability-3
Integrating Sustainability-3Integrating Sustainability-3
Integrating Sustainability-3
 
Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...
Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...
Creating Aging Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your Commun...
 
The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2
The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2
The Learning Process of Reaching Out and Programming to Hispanic Audiences-2
 
Using Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting Information
Using Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting InformationUsing Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting Information
Using Technology to Reach Families with Age-Paced Parenting Information
 

Similar to It'll never happen to me 10 45

This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)
This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)
This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)People Management
 
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIESWHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIESwhitecardaustralia0
 
BRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing Workforce
BRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing WorkforceBRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing Workforce
BRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing WorkforceJonathan Morris
 
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIESWHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIESpeterswork1
 
This week in hr people management (11-15 april)
This week in hr   people management (11-15 april)This week in hr   people management (11-15 april)
This week in hr people management (11-15 april)People Management
 
Reducing the impact of work harm
Reducing the impact of work harmReducing the impact of work harm
Reducing the impact of work harmBarry Naismith
 
This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)
This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)
This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)People Management
 
Facilities management-update-issue-93
Facilities management-update-issue-93Facilities management-update-issue-93
Facilities management-update-issue-93Nexus Publishing
 
This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)
This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)
This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)People Management
 
This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)
This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)
This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)People Management
 
DCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply ReportDCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Reportss
 
PR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazine
PR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazinePR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazine
PR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazinePeter French MBE CPP FSyl
 
This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)
This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)
This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)People Management
 
DCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply ReportDCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Reportss
 
Salary survey 2010
Salary survey 2010Salary survey 2010
Salary survey 2010Mark Burton
 

Similar to It'll never happen to me 10 45 (20)

This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)
This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)
This week in HR People Management (to 6 May)
 
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIESWHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
 
BRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing Workforce
BRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing WorkforceBRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing Workforce
BRW Article Feb 2003 - Ageing Workforce
 
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIESWHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
WHITE CARD UPDATE : REDUCTION IN WORK FATALITIES
 
This week in hr people management (11-15 april)
This week in hr   people management (11-15 april)This week in hr   people management (11-15 april)
This week in hr people management (11-15 april)
 
Reducing the impact of work harm
Reducing the impact of work harmReducing the impact of work harm
Reducing the impact of work harm
 
This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)
This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)
This Week in HR - People Management (18 March)
 
Automated disruption
Automated disruptionAutomated disruption
Automated disruption
 
Local Insights - Statewide, Winter 2014
Local Insights - Statewide, Winter 2014Local Insights - Statewide, Winter 2014
Local Insights - Statewide, Winter 2014
 
Facilities management-update-issue-93
Facilities management-update-issue-93Facilities management-update-issue-93
Facilities management-update-issue-93
 
This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)
This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)
This Week in HR – People Management (to 4 March)
 
This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)
This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)
This week in HR – People Management (to 18 Feb)
 
DCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply ReportDCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline November 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
 
PR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazine
PR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazinePR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazine
PR Salary Survey spring 16 City Security magazine
 
Preventing Accidents
Preventing AccidentsPreventing Accidents
Preventing Accidents
 
Safety lec1
Safety lec1Safety lec1
Safety lec1
 
D1 Risk Review
D1 Risk ReviewD1 Risk Review
D1 Risk Review
 
This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)
This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)
This Week in HR - People Management (11 March 2011)
 
DCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply ReportDCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
DCR Trendline October 2013 – Contingent Worker Forecast and Supply Report
 
Salary survey 2010
Salary survey 2010Salary survey 2010
Salary survey 2010
 

Recently uploaded

Alamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptx
Alamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptxAlamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptx
Alamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptxDhatriParmar
 
Material Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.ppt
Material Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.pptMaterial Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.ppt
Material Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.pptBanaras Hindu University
 
3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx
3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx
3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptxmary850239
 
AUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptxAUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptxiammrhaywood
 
PHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdf
PHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdfPHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdf
PHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdfSumit Tiwari
 
VIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdf
VIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdfVIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdf
VIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdfArthyR3
 
Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024
Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024
Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024bsellato
 
BBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptx
BBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptxBBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptx
BBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptxProf. Kanchan Kumari
 
LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced Stud
LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced StudLEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced Stud
LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced StudDr. Bruce A. Johnson
 
Metabolism of lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptx
Metabolism of  lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptxMetabolism of  lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptx
Metabolism of lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptxDr. Santhosh Kumar. N
 
Dhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian Poetics
Dhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian PoeticsDhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian Poetics
Dhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian PoeticsDhatriParmar
 
3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx
3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx
3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptxmary850239
 
The OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita Anand
The OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita AnandThe OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita Anand
The OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita AnandDr. Sarita Anand
 
How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17
How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17
How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17Celine George
 
2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...
2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...
2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...Marlene Maheu
 
Quantitative research methodology and survey design
Quantitative research methodology and survey designQuantitative research methodology and survey design
Quantitative research methodology and survey designBalelaBoru
 
ICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdf
ICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdfICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdf
ICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdfVanessa Camilleri
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Alamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptx
Alamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptxAlamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptx
Alamkara theory by Bhamaha Indian Poetics (1).pptx
 
ANOVA Parametric test: Biostatics and Research Methodology
ANOVA Parametric test: Biostatics and Research MethodologyANOVA Parametric test: Biostatics and Research Methodology
ANOVA Parametric test: Biostatics and Research Methodology
 
Material Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.ppt
Material Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.pptMaterial Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.ppt
Material Remains as Source of Ancient Indian History & Culture.ppt
 
3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx
3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx
3.12.24 The Social Construction of Gender.pptx
 
AUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptxAUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY - PARTICIPATORY - JENKINS.pptx
 
PHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdf
PHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdfPHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdf
PHARMACOGNOSY CHAPTER NO 5 CARMINATIVES AND G.pdf
 
VIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdf
VIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdfVIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdf
VIT336 – Recommender System - Unit 3.pdf
 
Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024
Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024
Awards Presentation 2024 - March 12 2024
 
Least Significance Difference:Biostatics and Research Methodology
Least Significance Difference:Biostatics and Research MethodologyLeast Significance Difference:Biostatics and Research Methodology
Least Significance Difference:Biostatics and Research Methodology
 
BBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptx
BBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptxBBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptx
BBA 205 BE UNIT 2 economic systems prof dr kanchan.pptx
 
Problems on Mean,Mode,Median Standard Deviation
Problems on Mean,Mode,Median Standard DeviationProblems on Mean,Mode,Median Standard Deviation
Problems on Mean,Mode,Median Standard Deviation
 
LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced Stud
LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced StudLEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced Stud
LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced Stud
 
Metabolism of lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptx
Metabolism of  lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptxMetabolism of  lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptx
Metabolism of lipoproteins & its disorders(Chylomicron & VLDL & LDL).pptx
 
Dhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian Poetics
Dhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian PoeticsDhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian Poetics
Dhavni Theory by Anandvardhana Indian Poetics
 
3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx
3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx
3.14.24 Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequity.pptx
 
The OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita Anand
The OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita AnandThe OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita Anand
The OERs: Transforming Education for Sustainable Future by Dr. Sarita Anand
 
How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17
How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17
How to Customise Quotation's Appearance Using PDF Quote Builder in Odoo 17
 
2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...
2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...
2024 March 11, Telehealth Billing- Current Telehealth CPT Codes & Telehealth ...
 
Quantitative research methodology and survey design
Quantitative research methodology and survey designQuantitative research methodology and survey design
Quantitative research methodology and survey design
 
ICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdf
ICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdfICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdf
ICS2208 Lecture4 Intelligent Interface Agents.pdf
 

It'll never happen to me 10 45

  • 1. It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me “It’ll Never Happen to Me” It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to Me It’ll Never Happen to THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER OF RAINHAM INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD STRIPE SPONSORS FOR THE BLOODHOUND SUPERSONIC CAR Week 45 Sunday, October 31, 2010 C.P. Boocock
  • 2. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 2 of 12 COMMENT It’s excellent to begin with good news for once. Beginning this week with a copy of an e-mail to our John Staples from Mick Thompson, the Sub contract Co-ordinator for Alstom Power Services at the Isle of Grain LNG Site commenting on our scaffold gang there: • Stephan Ulatowski • Brian Ulatowski • Martin George • Ian Hennessey And as Mr. Thompson recognizes, it far easier to criticise than it is to compliment, and comments such as his are not only a compliment for the lads, but also encourage further safe behaviours. Coincidentally I’ve had occasion to review and consolidate some of our Toolbox Talks of the most recent one is “Raising & Lowering Scaffold Materials”. I appreciate all the safety alerts I receive, and so as I work through these toolbox talks I’m content to share them. Whilst we‘d certainly expect scaffolders to know this – I find the sharing of such information most useful to those who employ or work alongside or scaffolders. Following on from Lord Young’s report and my commentary last week, I came across this piece of guidance (attached) on the DirectGov website “Clearing Snow & Ice Yourself”. I have to ask myself – is this the best use of public money – to provide advice such as this – but this is unfortunately a symptom of the alleged compensation culture and the fear by householders of personal injury lawyers. Health & Safety Statistics HSE published their statistics for 2009 -10 this week. Key annual figures 2009/10 1.3 million people who worked during the last year were suffering from an illness (long standing as well as new cases) they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. 555 000 of these were new cases 152 workers were killed at work, a rate of 0.5 per 100 000 workers (or one in every 200.thousand workers killed) 121,430 other injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR, a rate of 473 per 100,000 employees 233,000 reportable injuries occurred, according to the Labour Force Survey, a rate of 840 per 100,000 workers 28.5 million days were lost overall (1.2 days per worker), 23.4 million due to work-related ill health and 5.1 million due to workplace injury In his autobiography Mark Twain stated "Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: 'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.'" It’s not fair to ridicule the statistics as they’ve been compiled by professional statisticians (which was a science [or art] I could never master), and they will have been scrutinised and tested FIG. 1 Shows the clear legacy of asbestos as it continues to take its toll, with deaths from Mesothelioma not expected to peak until 2016. FIG. 5&6 We can see that the injuries reported under RIDDOR are about half of those reported by the Labour Force Survey – although the gap between the RIDDOR figures and the Labour Force survey are narrowing – albeit slowly. As we read last week one of Lord Young’s recommendations was to increase the 3 day LTA to a 7 day LTA. I’ve not worked through the effect of this as yet. FIG. 7&8 From 2005-6 the number of enforcement notices has increased and yet the number of prosecutions has remained steady / fallen. I’m not sure what we can read into this as a reflection on both workplace safety and the work of the HSE. FIG. 10 The accompanying text states: “Industry sectors with ill health rates statistically significantly higher than the rate for all industries were health and social work, and public administration.”
  • 3. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 3 of 12 “For injuries, agriculture, transport, storage and communication and construction had statistically significantly higher rates than for all industry.” I guess there’s nothing surprising about these statements, but in the first paragraph, public administration does of course include Her Majesty’s Health & Safety Executive! FIG. 13 It appears overall that reportable / reported injuries are falling, whereas the number of fatalities remains stubbornly flat. And with 152 people killed at work in 2009-10. And my way of looking at this it to take a year of 365 days, and take away 52 weekends, which leaves 261 working days. If we now take away say 6 five day weeks to allow for holidays & Christmas etc. we’re left with 231 working days. And dividing 152 into 231 gives us 1.5 people being killed at work each way. Now I don’t mean that someone leaves work “half dead” – but THREE PEOPLE ARE KILLED AT WORK EVERY TWO DAYS. But as I continue to say, it’s not just the fatality – it’s the Mothers, Fathers, Sons Daughters., Brothers & Sisters that are affected. And one of the saddest figures is the number of people at work who are disabled, disfigured and diseased, and being unable to work lose their dignity, and take their own lives… And yet we read the H&SE will be subject to a 35% budget cut. But back to the good news. Regards (and Déjà Vu!) Chris FROM MICHAEL THOMPSON- ALSTOM POWER SERVICES: John All too often nowadays people are keen to write/e-mail with complaints about quality of service, bad attitude, slack Health and safety etc etc. However I thought I would take some time to let you know that I have been observing your team of guys on our project for the past few days on the Pipe bridge on C2 and I have nothing but praise for their professional attitude towards the work and the clients. They all appear keen, knowledgeable about their craft, respectful of the environment i.e. location and clients. They all have and use the appropriate PPE and are obliging and accommodating to the needs of the project. Their health and safety is evident with the appropriate use of harnesses and lanyards and although these are early days I hope that they will continue in this manner. A well done is deserved to the following, in no particular order! Who I understand will be our base crew on site when required. • Stephan Ulatowski • Brian Ulatowski • Martin George • Ian Hennessey If they continue in this manner I will look forward to working with them further on the other sections. Please feel free to pass this on to the guy's credit where credit is due. Regards Mick Thompson Sub contract Co-ordinator, Alstom Power Services
  • 4. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 4 of 12 COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEW – H&SE BUDGET CUT BY 35% However, other stakeholders expressed reservations about how the improvements can be sustained, given the recently announced 35-per-cent cut in the HSE’s budget. IOSH’s policy and technical director, Richard Jones, said the key to making sure the figures don’t rise next year is to maintain the resources the regulator currently has to do this. He added: “Cuts to the HSE don’t just risk livelihoods, they risk the lives of the people we are trying to protect. And if inspectors are forced off the front line to complete the paperwork that a declining admin staff would previously have done, we could potentially see a hockey-stick effect, where death and injury rates increase once more. “The UK workforce needs a properly resourced HSE and effective workplace management for these downward trends to continue.” The TUC’s Brendan Barber said the budget cut is: “… likely to make the situation worse, with less guidance, fewer inspections and less enforcement across the board. This will mean higher illness rates, more days lost through sickness absence and, most importantly, more workers killed, injured, or made ill as a result of their work.” The HSE did not want to comment while the exact nature of the cost cuts has yet to be determined, other than to say that: “The DWP has said that in seeking to achieve savings of at least 35 per cent over the SR10 period, we will share more of the costs with those businesses who create the risks, while reducing burdens on low-risk businesses. The [HSE] Board will be advising further on how this might be achieved.” SHP MAGAZINE FOUR METRE LONG GIRDER PLUMMETS THROUGH ESTATE AGENTS A steel company has been FINED £15,000 after a four-metre-long metal girder crashed through the roof of a Preston estate agents narrowly missing two office workers. THE STEEL BEAM RESTING ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE PRESTON ESTATE AGENTS The steel beam fell about 25 metres from a crane and smashed through the roof and three floors of Garside Waddingham estate agents in Fleet Street on 16 January 2010. POCKLINGTON STEEL STRUCTURES LTD was prosecuted by the HSE following an investigation into what caused the 80 kilogram girder – the equivalent weight of an average UK man – to fall from the crane. Preston Magistrates’ Court heard that two female employees were working in the ground floor shop when the incident happened. The girder was one of 18 similar steel beams to be lifted by the crane that morning.
  • 5. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 5 of 12 The company had spent the morning lifting girders at a 45-degree angle to fit into the new hotel structure. But HSE found that nothing was done to stop the girders slipping through the chains wrapped around them. The investigation concluded the beams should have been lifted when level and not at an angle. THE BUILDING SITE AND THREE OF THE FLOORS WHICH THE STEEL BEAM DAMAGED Pocklington Steel should also have ensured the girders could not slip out of the chains by attaching shackles in holes drilled through them, as they were being lifted near to the public and other buildings. Anthony Polec, the investigating inspector at HSE, said: “It must have been terrifying for the staff on duty in the estate agents that day when they suddenly heard and then saw a steel girder crashing down next to their desks, right where the public normally stand. “It was only by chance that the incident happened on a Saturday when fewer staff were at work, and that no members of the public were in the building at the time. For such a high lift, near to people on the ground, it is simply not good enough to wrap chains around girders, in a so- called choke hitch, without securing them. “Two office workers had a lucky escape but several people could easily have been killed. It’s vital construction companies make sure they use cranes safely to prevent similar incidents happening again.” Pocklington Steel Structures Ltd admitted breaching SECTION 3(1) OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 by putting the lives of workers and the public at risk. It was also ordered to PAY £6,706 TOWARDS THE COST of the prosecution in addition to the fine. HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE WORKER SNAPS WRIST AFTER GLOVE TANGLED IN DRILL A Cardiff manufacturing firm has been fined after a worker broke his wrist when his glove became entangled in an unguarded drill. The HSE prosecuted ELMATIC (CARDIFF) LTD following the incident at its factory in Wentloog Road, Rumney on 11 March 2009. Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard that 21-year-old employee Lee Baker had been asked to drill holes in metal boxes despite not usually working with the drill and having no formal training on how to use it. The pillar drill Mr Baker was using did not have an appropriate guard fitted and when positioning one of the components for drilling his glove became tangled. He fractured his wrist in two places and needed to have plates inserted. HSE had previously taken formal action against the company, in 2002 and 2009, to ensure that drills were adequately guarded. Elmatic (Cardiff) Ltd pleaded guilty to a charge under REGULATION 11 OF THE PROVISION AND USE OF WORK
  • 6. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 6 of 12 EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998. They were FINED £8,000 and ordered to pay £6,691.45 COSTS. HSE inspector Hugh Emment said: “HSE has warned this company before about not providing suitable guards on drills of this type, and while they did initially heed these warnings, the safety standards were not maintained. “Mr Baker had not been trained to use this drill, nor had he been told about the dangers of wearing gloves while using drills. This is a well known risk in the manufacturing industry, and it resulted in a serious injury to Mr Baker.” In March 2002, Elmatic (Cardiff) Ltd received an immediate prohibition notice relating to the use and guarding of three pillar drills, and this was followed by written advice from an HSE inspector. During the investigation in to the incident on 11 March 2009 the company received an immediate prohibition notice, on 24 April 2009, for failures relating to guarding on a pillar drill and deficiencies in operator training. HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE COMPANY FINED AFTER DEATH OF DONCASTER WORKER AT IMMINGHAM A Durham company has been FINED £120,000 at Grimsby Crown Court after safety failings led to the death of a man at its coal processing plant in Immingham. HARGREAVES (UK) SERVICES LTD a major energy support services company, pleaded guilty to a breach of the HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974. The company was also ordered to pay £35,000 IN COSTS. The prosecution followed the death of Alan Noddle, who suffered fatal injuries when he was run over by a loading shovel on 20 July 2007. Mr Noddle worked as maintenance fitter for Hargreaves’ sister company, Norec Ltd, and was working at the Hargreaves’ Astra Site at Immingham Docks on the day of the fatal incident. He died when he was struck by a large loading shovel being used to transfer coal from one area of the plant to another. The driver of the vehicle could not see Mr Noddle as he walked across the stockyard because the large bucket on the loading shovel blocked his view. After the hearing HSE Inspector Geoffrey Clark said: “This is a tragic case where a man died as a result of dangerous practices at the site. The loading shovel severely obscured the driver’s view, yet despite this it was common practice for employees to be allowed to walk in the area where these machines were being operated. “Workplace transport is one of HSE’s priorities, as transport injuries are a major cause of death and injury in the workplace. Although this is an extreme case, I would urge all employers to be aware of the dangers of moving vehicles of all sizes and to put appropriate measures in place to segregate people from moving vehicles to prevent another tragedy from happening.” HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
  • 7. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 7 of 12 MERSEYSIDE HEAD FINED AFTER PUPIL SUFFERS PERMANENT INJURIES A Merseyside headteacher has been FINED £20,000 after one of his students suffered permanent injuries when he fell through the school roof. The HSE prosecuted JOHN SUMMERFIELD who is now retired, after he led a group of teenagers onto a roof at Sacred Heart Catholic College on Liverpool Road in Crosby. He was found guilty of a health and safety offence following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. The court heard that Mr Summerfield had taken the group of students onto the roof on 14 August 2008 on the day of their A Level results. One of the 18-year-old students, who has asked not to be named, fractured his skull, broke his ribs, perforated an eardrum and suffered permanent damage to his right eye when he fell 2.5 metres through a roof light. The roof light which replaced the one the 18-year-old fell through Mr Summerfield was found guilty of breaching SECTION 7(A) OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 by failing to protect the safety of his students when he decided to allow them onto the roof. He was ordered to PAY £22,708 TOWARDS THE COST of the prosecution, in addition to the fine, on 29 October 2010. Mike Sebastian, HSE Principal Inspector in Merseyside, said: “John Summerfield wanted to show his students a part of the school they had never seen but it left one of them suffering a permanent injury to his eye.“The roof was kept out of bounds for a reason. As the headteacher, Mr Summerfield should have thought about the possible consequences before deciding to take them through two locked doors onto the roof. “Students should expect to be in a safe environment when they’re at school and look to their teachers for guidance on what is and what isn’t safe. Sadly, a pupil suffered serious injuries because of the poor judgement of his headteacher, and is unlikely to ever fully recover.” HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE ROOFING FIRM PROSECUTED AFTER WORKERS' LIVES PUT AT RISK A Merseyside roofing firm has been sentenced after it allowed two employees to work dangerously on the roof of a detached house in Wirral. FURBER ROOFING LTD was prosecuted after a HSE inspector spotted the workers carrying out roof and chimney repairs to a house on Dovepoint Road in Meols on 28 January 2010. HSE Inspector Nicholas Mostyn immediately asked the workers to come down from the roof, and issued a prohibition notice stopping the work until measures to prevent a fall had been put in place.
  • 8. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 8 of 12 The men were working nearly five metres above the ground, with no scaffolding or edge protection around the roof to prevent a fall. Wirral Magistrates’ Court heard that Furber Roofing had also been served with a prohibition notice less than three months earlier, on 19 November 2009, over a similar incident. Furber Roofing was found guilty of two health and safety offences after it failed to carry out a risk assessment, or take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent a fall. The company, which employs 18 workers and has an annual turnover of £750,000, was FINED £2,000 and ordered to pay COSTS OF £1,500. A WORKER BALANCES ON THE ROOF OF A DETACHED HOUSE IN WIRRAL HSE Inspector Nicholas Mostyn said: “This prosecution arises out of a lack of planning for the work, and resulted in the lives of two employees at Furber Roofing being put at risk. “The company had provided a tower scaffold for their employees but it couldn’t be used to carry out the work because of the garage attached to the house. They would have known this if they had properly assessed and planned the work in advance. “Every job is different and companies therefore need to make sure safety measures, specific to each site, are implemented. Each year, 11 roofers are killed as the result a fall. It is only luck that neither of Furber Roofing’s employees were injured on this occasion.” Furber Roofing was charged with breaching REGULATION 6(3) OF THE WORK AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS 2005, and REGULATION 3(1) OF THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1999. HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE PRINTING FIRM FINED AFTER EMPLOYEES INJURE HANDS An Essex company has been fined after two employees had their hands crushed by printing presses within months of each other. Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how the workers at the printers and binders WYNDEHAM HERON LTD had been working with machines, when their hands became trapped. On 27 March 2009, Press Assistant Paul Howard fractured his thumb when he tried to clear a paper jam in the stacker unit of a press at the company’s site. Later the same year, on 18 November, Mark Frost was working on another press when a problem was experienced with the drive belts of a conveyer. The moving parts were unguarded and it had become common practice for employees to use objects, or their hands, to deal with conveyer belt problems. While attempting to remedy the problem, Mr Frost hand became caught in the belts and was forced against a roller crushing his fingers. The investigation and prosecution by the HSE found a lack of training, supervision and appropriate
  • 9. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 9 of 12 equipment, and that there had been no assessment on how to carry out the work safely in either case. Wyndeham Heron appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and admitted two charges of breaching SECTION 2(1) HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC. ACT 1974. The company was FINED £15,000 with £2,490 COSTS for the charge relating to Mr Frost’s injury and a FURTHER £10,000 with £3,171 COSTS in relation to Mr Howard’s injury. HSE inspector, Paul Grover, said: “Incidents like this are entirely preventable. Printing presses are a potentially very dangerous piece of equipment, which require adequate guards and safe working procedures for dealing with every kind of operational occurrence. It is not good enough to rely on ad hoc practices to clear paper jams and to deal with other mechanical failures. “Employers must ensure that appropriate training, supervision and equipment are provided. A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must also be carried out. Advice and guidance is available and easily accessible to help duty holders comply with the law and keep people safe. Where appropriate, HSE will not hesitate to take action against employers failing to comply with the law.” HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE CONSTRUCTION FIRMS FINED OVER LANCASHIRE WORKER’S DEATH Two Lancashire companies have been sentenced following the death of a construction worker in Altham near Accrington. FATAL FALL The HSE prosecuted HOWORTH SCAFFOLDING SERVICES LTD and GLENMILL GROUP (DEVELOPMENTS) LTD after Peter Walton fell five metres from scaffolding on Altham Industrial Estate, Sykeside Drive on 10 May 2006. The 55-year-old had been working on a project to build three new office blocks when he fell. Preston Crown Court heard that Mr Walton was critically injured when an unsecured board on the scaffolding gave way. He died five weeks later in hospital. His widow, Christine Walton, said: “It has been four long, stressful years since the incident that eventually took Peter's life. He meant everything to me and I will love, miss and mourn him for the rest of my life. “I know that the conclusion of this prosecution won't bring him back but it will help to give me some sort of closure, and to bring this type of incident to the forefront. Sadly Peter's death is just one of many needless deaths that occur in the construction industry due to slack adherence to health and safety regulations. “Hopefully what happened to Peter, and is still happening on construction sites, will make people realise that health and safety laws are there to protect us and are not to be scorned and scoffed at.”
  • 10. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 10 of 12 Howorth Scaffolding Services Ltd and Glenmill Group (Developments) Ltd both pleaded guilty to breaching SECTION 3(1) OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 by putting workers at risk. Howorth Scaffolding was FINED £25,000 was ordered to PAY £13,793 TOWARD THE COST of the prosecution. Glenmill Group was ordered to pay a nominal FINE OF £1 with COSTS OF £13,793. The judge said the fines reflect the companies’ current financial situations. HSE Inspector Ian Connor said: “Both these companies contributed to Peter Walton’s death by failing to follow the proper safety procedures for putting up scaffolding. “Howorth Scaffolding should have made sure that it constructed the scaffolding properly. And, as the principal contractor for the site, Glenmill Group should have ensured it was safe before allowing construction workers onto it. “This is an extremely sad case which once again shows how important it is to follow health and safety regulations. It’s vital that construction companies do more to prevent deaths and injuries in the future.” HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE ROOFER SENTENCED AFTER WORKERS' LIVES PUT AT RISK A roofer has appeared in court after four of his employees were spotted balancing dangerously on a barn roof in Cheshire. BARN ROOF DANGER JOSEPH JONES was prosecuted by the HSE after an inspector visited Norley Bank Farm in Norley, on 23 February 2009. He found Mr Jones giving instructions to the men, who were working approximately four metres above the ground, while they refurbished the roof. Halton magistrates court in Runcorn heard that HSE Inspector John Ellis immediately requested that the workers come down from the roof. He then issued a Prohibition Notice requiring work to stop until scaffolding or edge protection had been put up at the eaves of the roof. HSE took the decision to prosecute due to the serious nature of the health and safety breach, and the potential risk to the lives of workers. Mr Jones pleaded guilty to breaching REGULATION 6(3) OF THE WORK AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS 2005. He was FINED £1,000 and ordered to pay COSTS OF £1,000. HSE Inspector John Ellis said: “Any of Mr Jones’ four employees could have suffered a serious injury as a result of falling from the barn roof. Each year 11 roofers are killed as the result a fall. It is only luck that none of the men were injured on this occasion. “Mr Jones admitted in his interview with HSE that this project was larger than he normally carried out, and that in hindsight it was impossible to carry out the work without scaffolding.
  • 11. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 11 of 12 “We publish free clear advice on the measures need when carrying out roof work. Mr Jones should have been aware of the expected standards.” HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE NORTH YORKSHIRE FARMER PROSECUTED AFTER WORKER LOSES LIMB A hired farm worker’s leg had to be amputated after he attempted to clear a blockage on a harvesting machine while the blades were still rotating. The man who does not wish to be named, was employed to help cut forage maize at Skipsters Hagg Farm at Appleton-le-Moors, near Pickering, on 9 November 2009. The HSE prosecuted PETER TURNBULL, a partner in family-run farming firm GR TURNBULL & SONS, after investigating the incident. Scarborough Magistrates Court heard the worker was driving a silage trailer while Peter Turnbull was driving the forage harvester in the same field. When a blockage occurred in the cutting disc of the harvester, Peter Turnbull attempted to clear the blockage by reversing the drive mechanism. When that failed, he left his seat to clear it by hand, leaving the machine running. The hired worker came to assist but while in the process of clearing the blockage the man’s leg was caught in the harvester’s rotating cutting discs. The resulting injury was so serious that, paramedics including an Air Ambulance crew, made a decision to amputate the limb at the scene. Peter Turnbull was prosecuted by the HSE for a breach of the PROVISION AND USE OF WORK REGULATIONS 1998 for allowing someone under his control to enter a danger zone while dangerous parts were still operating. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was FINED £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,698 IN COSTS. After the hearing HSE inspector Charlie Callis said: “Incidents of this kind are all too common in the farming industry, and the outcomes are inevitably equally horrific. “Farmers are under pressure to bring in the crop and time spent shutting down and making safe a machine may, incorrectly, be considered time wasted. Taking unnecessary risks like this is never a sensible option, and Mr Turnbull could and should have done more to mitigate those risks. “HSE is working hard to reduce deaths, injuries and ill health in agriculture, but we need farmers, farm owners and workers to do their bit by following basic safety guidelines and implementing safe working procedures at all times.” Farming is now officially the UK’s most dangerous industry on a ratio of deaths and injury per size of workforce. HSE initiatives to improve safety include the award- winning MAKE THE PROMISE campaign, which encourages farmers to make a pledge to ‘COME HOME SAFE’ by keeping safety in their thoughts at all times. HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE BURNLEY FIRM FINED £16K AFTER WORKERS' HEARING PUT AT RISK A Burnley manufacturing company has been FINED £16,000 after it ignored a formal warning about noise levels at its factory. The HSE prosecuted EQUESTRIAN SURFACES LTD for putting its employees’ hearing at risk, despite being given two extensions to an Improvement Notice requiring a reduction in their daily noise exposure levels. Staff at the factory which makes flooring surfaces for horse riding centres, were required to work for several hours a day near a granulator machine as loud as a chainsaw.
  • 12. Rainham Industrial Services | SHEQ Group | It'll Never Happen To Me 10 45 Page 12 of 12 The machine uses metal blades to shred material into tiny pieces and can reach volumes up to at 98 decibels. THE MACHINE AT THE BURNLEY FACTORY WHICH CAUSED WORKERS TO BE EXPOSED TO HIGH NOISE LEVELS Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard that the company failed to put any practical measures in place to reduce workers’ exposure to noise, even after receiving an Improvement Notice and being given advice from a specialist HSE inspector. A further HSE visit with an independent scientist showed that, although some changes had been made, the employees’ daily noise exposure remained high and the changes fell short of what could and should have been achieved. HSE Inspector Matthew Lea said: “This prosecution highlights the responsibilities that employers have to looking after their employees. “Noise-induced hearing loss is a degenerative condition and the ear cannot repair itself. It’s therefore important that employers take these dangers seriously as there is no going back once hearing is damaged. “The Control of Noise at Work Regulations require employers to put measures in place to ensure that their employees can work safely, without putting their hearing at risk. “Equestrian Surfaces could have taken a number of simple practical steps to reduce noise exposure but chose instead to rely on just using basic ear protectors, which in effect is the last line of defence.” Equestrian Surfaces Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching SECTION 33(1) (G) OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974 for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice. The manufacturer was also ordered to pay £11,000 towards the cost of the prosecution. HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE