When cutting roof tiles, workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).  This dust, if breathed in, causes severe lung diseases such as silicosis. HSE have produced a video of the effects of silicosis on people’s lives. To view a video on the impact of silicosis visit HSL’s Case Studies Webpage.

For more information on silicosis and lung disease visit HSE’s Lung Disease Webpages.

HSE has identified reducing incidents of ill health as one of the top three strategic priorities for the next three to five years as set out in the construction sector plan, Occupational Lung Disease is a particular focus.

Become a member of the Helping Great Britain work well LinkedIn discussion group and network. You can comment on our strategies and plans, share ideas and tell us what you are doing to help improve Britain’s record on work-related health

updated 22.03.2017

HSE issues MOD with Crown Censure over driver death

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been issued with a Crown Censure by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an agency driver, working for the MoD, was fatally injured by a reversing vehicle.

London council fined after school injury

Islington Borough Council has been sentenced after admitting a role in an incident at a London school where a boy was left with serious hand injuries. 

Flashback arrestors are a legal requirement on oxy-acetylene sets

The regulations pertaining to the use and maintenance of oxy-acetylene equipment were updated in late 2014 under The Acetylene Safety (England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2014 and included a new mandatory requirement to use suitable flashback arrestors.

There is concern that the requirement to use flashback arrestors may not have been fully implemented by all welding operators.  The requirement for flashback arrestors is a reasonably practicable control of the risk and that is why the law requires them.  Please ensure you and your workers are protected by fitting the arrestors. 

Free advice on the law and best practice in this area is available from the BCGA on its Welding Matters Webpage

Clean Air? – Take Care!

Clean Air? – Take Care! is a new joint initiative between the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and HSE aimed at reducing occupational lung disease. The initiative is cantered on a range of national activities and educational seminars designed to raise awareness among RPE users, employers, fit testers and advisors on the correct selection, deployment, use, maintenance and storage of RPE. More information including campaign videos, posters and campaign documents visit British Safety Industry Federation’s Webpages.

Health Risks at Work – do you know yours?

The Health Risks at Work initiative provides simple, concise information to help small businesses manage five key health at work risk areas:

• Breathing
• Skin
• Muscles, bones and joints
• Hearing and touch
• Wellbeing

For more information on the Campaign visit Safety Groups UK

Find your local Safety group by visiting Local Safety Groups

Uxbridge manufacturer fined after workers develop debilitating lung conditions

An Uxbridge manufacturer of ejector seats has been fined £800,000 after three workers developed debilitating lung conditions. Three skilled CNC machine operators developed extrinsic allergic alveolitis after many years of years of exposure to the mist of working metal fluid. More information on the fine visit HSE’s Press Release. 

More information on extrinsic allergic alveolitis and metalworking fluids visit HSE’s Website.

Worker injures hand in drilling machine

An Essex castings company has been fined £250,000 with £12,632.92 costs after a worker suffered injury to his hand when it was dragged into a drilling machine and required skin grafts. More information on the accident and fine can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

Bedford Metal company fined

Bedfordshire metal company has been fined £130,000 with £2,456 costs for safety breaches after an agency worker suffered severe leg injuries and lost most of his foot. He was was injured when a trolley carrying metal stock fell on his legs causing severe injuries. More information on the accident can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

By Angela Southall Posted March 9, 2017  In Fee For Intervention, Health and Safety Legislation And Guidance, Risk Assessment

In order to improve associated death and injury statistics, the HSE and Local Authority inspectors are tasked with focusing on the following priority areas within businesses in 2017:

1. Falls from height – work on/adjacent to fragile roofs/materials
2. Health risks – respirable silica dust exposure
3. Duty to manage asbestos
4. Construction

What does this mean in practice for businesses?

A health and safety inspector may visit a business if its work activities fall within any of these focus topics. This visit may focus solely on these topic areas or form part of a routine inspection where all areas of risk are looked at, but with greater emphasis on these focus topics.

Businesses may think that if their primary activities are not listed above, that they are safe from an inspector’s visit, but this is unfortunately not the case. This makes it even more paramount that businesses stay on top of their health and safety management, especially with the new sentencing guidelines in place.

What do inspectors look for?

1. Falls from height – work on/adjacent to fragile roofs/materials – Fragile roofs/skylights etc. are common place in workplaces. Inspectors will be looking at and questioning business owners on how repair and maintenance work (e.g. gutter cleaning) is performed.
2. Health risks – respirable silica dust – dust, containing harmful respirable crystalline silica (RCS), can be generated during common operations such as block cutting, chasing brickwork and cutting concrete floors. There is detailed HSE guidance for controlling this dust. Inspectors will be looking at whether there is any minor construction work going on at a business that could generate this dust and whether this is effectively controlled in accordance with the guidance. This also applies to routine business operations that create this dust, such as granite cutting, where again, the focus will be checking controls are adequate.
3. Duty to manage asbestos –Buildings built before 2000 may contain asbestos. Inspectors will be checking to see whether the risk of asbestos in the building has been assessed, whether an asbestos survey has been conducted and a management plan with necessary monitoring put in place. They will also look for any minor construction work going on that breaches the fabric of the building without a proper asbestos survey and effective controls in place.
4. Construction – The construction sector includes building construction, trades and civil engineering and whilst improvements have been made to reduce the injury statistics, the fatal and major injury statistics remain high. The key risk areas inspectors will focus on in this sector are exposure to asbestos, silica dust, and paint and diesel exhaust fumes. Furthermore, exposure to dust, fume, vapour or gas, and dermatitis risk, along with manual handling, noise and vibration are all focus areas in this sector.

What can the inspector do?

The purpose of inspection is to assess how well businesses are managing these health and safety risks and, where they are not, to bring about improvements to achieve this.

Inspectors have a range of enforcement tools they can use to achieve improvement but must be proportionate to the level of risk and used in accordance with their enforcement policy.

This can range from verbal and written advice, through to Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices and/or prosecution. Under the Fees for Intervention (FFI) cost recovery scheme, the HSE can charge you for their time for inspection, investigation and enforcement action.

Three tips to stay one step ahead

1. Be prepared by making sure you have considered the risk of asbestos in your building if it was built before the year 2000. Building owners or landlords may need to invest in an asbestos survey and act upon the results.
2. Prior to employment of contractors for work at height or minor building works, make sure you check their risk assessments, method statements, insurance, professional membership and references. It is your responsibility to engage a suitable contractor.
3. For those involved in processes generating respirable crystalline silica (RCS), ensure you effectively follow the HSE guidance for controlling this dust.

Asbestos removal firm fined after poor safety practices

Midlands based firm Enviro-Safe Limited have been fined for failing to meet the standards required when removing asbestos.

Bury demolition contractor fined for failing to prevent exposure to Asbestos

A demolition contractor has been sentenced after admitting illegally removing asbestos from a building he was working on.

Post updated 23.02.2017

Agency worker traps hand in machine

A polythene film manufacturer was sentenced for safety breaches after a worker trapped his hand in machinery.

Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court heard how the injured person broke the little finger on his right hand while operating machinery in March 2014 at Total Polyfilm Ltd.’s Brighouse plant.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to adequately manage the risk of workers being injured when operating machinery. Also it was found the workers failed to operate in the correct way of working when using this equipment.

Total Polyfilm Ltd of Walton Summit Estate, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and have been fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £697.

After the hearing HSE inspector Jacqueline Ferguson commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.” 

Operator’s finger crushed when the light curtains failed

Please read if you have any equipment using light curtains as a safety control device.

An employee was putting ID labels on packs of concrete blocks as they came out of the factory, the labels had to be hand fastened to the banding around the blocks which were on a stationary conveyor. When applying a label, he used his right hand to try and free some slack on the banding so he could get the label wrapped around it. He heard the conveyor system start up and the pack on his left hand side moved forward, which resulted in his right hand middle finger getting trapped and crushed between the packs.

The light barriers, which are intended to prevent conveyor start up with someone in the area, were not safety rated and were ‘fooled’ by the strip on the high visibility PPE worn by the employee, which reflected the beam back to the receiving sensor.

Fines and Prosecutions

Corrugated Packaging manufacturer fined over workplace injury

A West Bromwich supplier of corrugated packaging has been fined £400,000 with £9886.04 costs after a maintenance employee was injured when he was pulled into machinery. The injured person was repairing a cardboard printing, slotting and forming machine when he put his foot onto an exposed conveyor and was dragged into the machine’s moving parts. More information can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

Kent box manufacturing company fined for safety failings

A Kent-based box manufacturing company has been fined £297,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,180  for health and safety failings which included electricity safety, machinery guarding and storage of materials.  More information on the prosecution can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

Worker injures hand in printing press

A seal and label producing company based in Kent has been fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,680.80 after a worker Injured his hand in a printing press when cleaning a blade. HSE’s investigation found that no suitable guard was fitted to the machine and the system of work used was flawed and unsafe. More information on the prosecution can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

More information on Machinery Guarding and Safe Systems of Work can be found on HSE’s Website.

Fine after workers fall into pulping machine

A maintenance contracting company has been fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,591 after an employee fell 7 metres backwards off an unprotected edge whilst he was carrying out maintenance work to a drive shaft. More information on the prosecution can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

Food packaging firm fined when worker severs thumb

A packaging company has been fined £70,000 with £53,509 costs after a worker’s thumb was severed due to the company’s failure to take adequate measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery enabling the worker to access an unguarded frame. For more information on the accident and fine visit HSE’s Press Release.

Recycling company fined after worker crushed

A recycling firm has been fined after a worker suffered crush injuries from a roller shutter door.

Suspended sentence for unregistered gas worker

A man has been fined and given a suspended prison sentence after working on a number of boilers without being Gas Safe registered.

HSE to make cost recovery dispute process fully independent

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that it is to consult on proposals to make its cost recovery scheme dispute process fully independent.

Building Contractor fined after workers fatal fall

A Manchester building contractor has been jailed following the death of a casual labourer who fell nearly seven metres through a fragile roof.

Butchers fined after worker suffers hand injuries

A butchers has been fined after a worker suffered deep lacerations to one his hands when working.

Construction company director imprisoned after safety failings

The director of a construction company has been imprisoned for eight months after failing to take appropriate action which resulted in a young worker receiving serious burns.

Oxfordshire based company fined for safety failings

An Oxfordshire based, ground engineering company has been fined after a worker contracted severe hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

Fencing business owners receive suspended sentences after worker injury

The 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.

Overhead crane worker suffers life threatening injuries

A Cleckheaton engineering firm was sentenced today for safety breaches after a worker suffered life changing injuries.

Landlord prosecuted for gas safety failings

A Preston Landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence after failing to ensure gas appliances in one of her properties were checked for safety.

Firm fined for failing health and safety standards

A Kent-based box manufacturing company has been fined for health and safety failings.

Bury demolition contractor fined for failing to prevent exposure to Asbestos

A demolition contractor has been sentenced after admitting illegally removing asbestos from a building he was working on.

Packaging manufacturer in court over workplace injury

A West Bromwich supplier of corrugated packaging has been fined after a maintenance employee was injured when he was pulled into machinery.

Worker exposed to high level of carbon monoxide

A Construction firm was sentenced today for safety breaches after workers were exposed to carbon monoxide and other substances hazardous to health.

04/01/17: Construction Company fined after contractor receives life changing injuries

A Lincolnshire based construction company, specialising in fitting mezzanine floors was prosecuted after a contractor fell onto a concrete floor.

05/01/17: Rochdale roofing contractor fined over fall from height risk

A roofing contractor has been fined after putting the lives of two employees at risk whilst working at height without protection against falls

13/01/17: Firms fined after worker killed falling from telehandler

Two companies from Carmarthenshire and West Midlands have been fined after a worker was killed when he fell from a telehandler

24/01/17: Three construction companies fined after worker fall

Three companies from Essex have been fined after a worker fell over seven meters through a fragile roof he was replacing.

19/12/16: Asbestos removal supervisor fined for exposing workers to deadly fibres

An asbestos removal supervisor has been sentenced after admitting exposing numerous workers to deadly asbestos fibres during licensed asbestos removal works.

22/12/16: Essex companies fined after workers exposed to asbestos

Two Essex-based companies have been fined after exposing workers to potentially deadly asbestos over a period of years, despite being alerted to the risks at their premises

19/01/17: Asbestos Analyst fined for falsifying documents

An asbestos analyst has been fined after he falsified an asbestos air clearance certificate, following licensed asbestos removal in Manchester

22/12/16: Housing association prosecuted for safety failings

A housing association has been prosecuted after allowing renovations to take place that put residents at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

HSE has identified reducing incidents of ill health as one of the top three strategic priorities for the next three to five years as set out in the construction sector plan.

Occupational Lung Disease  is a particular focus. In 2016 occupational respiratory disease was estimated to result in approximately 12 000 deaths each year.

Tackling Ill Health is also one of the six key themes of the Helping Great Britain Work Well Strategy. HGBWW Commitments outline how HSE is seeking to influence the system.

You can play your part by getting involved in the conversation today and learn how to Tackle Occupational Disease.

Find out more by joining the conversation

 

Posted 13.01.2017

Crisp company fined for safety failings

A Northamptonshire company who manufacture crisps and snacks has been fined after an agency worker lost the tops of three fingers.

Construction Company fined after contractor receives life changing injuries

A Lincoln based Construction Company, specialising in fitting mezzanine floors were prosecuted after a contractor fell onto a concrete floor.

Company prosecuted after workers were severely burned

A North East engineering company was sentenced today for safety breaches after two of its workers were burned when they were sprayed with chemicals during chemical cleaning of a pipework system.

Posted 03.01.2017

Bolton resident dies in lift shaft fall

A property management company has been fined after a resident of Marsden House in Bolton died after falling down a lift shaft.

Energy giant’s appeal against £3m fine dismissed

Energy giant ConocoPhillips (UK) Ltd has failed in its bid to reduce the level of fine handed down after an offshore multiple gas release incident in the North Sea.

Housing association prosecuted for safety failings

A housing association has been prosecuted after allowing renovations to take place that put residents at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dairy Manufacturer fined after worker’s fragile roof fall

A dairy manufacturer has been fined £400,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when he fell 15 feet through a fragile roof panel.

Essex Companies fined after employees exposed to asbestos

Two Essex-based companies have been fined after exposing workers to potentially deadly asbestos over a period of years, despite knowing of its presence, in units that they occupied in Manor Road Trading Estate, Benfleet.

National airline prosecuted for not protecting workers

British Airways PLC has been prosecuted for not protecting their workers’ from hand arm vibrations.

Employee prosecuted for dangerous work at height

An employee of a steel erection firm has been sentenced at Manchester Magistrates Court after admitted working unsafely at height on a hotel development in central Manchester.

Prosecution of local roofing specialist company and its directors over unsafe roof work

A specialist roofing company and its two directors have been sentenced after admitting working unsafely at height on a hotel development in central Manchester during a major refurbishment and extension works. On the 17 March 2015, a member of public wi…

Construction companies fined after failing to carry out basement excavation work safely

Two London based construction companies were prosecuted after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection identified serious safety breaches on a double basement construction project.

Employee seriously injured after fork lift truck overturns

A construction company has been fined after a 58 year old worker suffered serious injuries when the fork lift truck and attached man-riding cage that he was working from overturned and he fell to the floor.

Suspended prison sentence for Plymouth landlord who endangered tenants

The landlord of a property in Plymouth risked the lives of his tenants and their young family by not undertaking annual safety checks on gas appliances in the property and by undertaking gaswork which was found to be dangerous.

Company fined after young worker injured

A waste management company has been prosecuted after a worker was left with life changing injuries.

Company and Director fined after Multiple Safety Failings on Construction Site

A construction company and its Managing Director have been prosecuted for operating an unsafe construction site during the conversion of a building in Bollington.

Sentence after member of public injured after garage pit fall

A self-employed garage mechanic was fined today after a member of the public was injured when picking up his vehicle from the premises

Trio of firms fined £2million after worker’s leg is broken in trench collapse

Three companies have been sentenced today (19 December 2016) in Lincoln Crown Court after a worker’s leg was broken in six places when a trench which he was working in collapsed on him

Air conditioning maintenance company in court over workers fall

A Leeds based air conditioning maintenance company has been fined after a worker fell 3 metres through a false ceiling.

Fatal accident to company Managing Director

A textile manufacturing company and one of its directors, Wazir Hussain were sentenced after a fatal accident to the company’s Managing Director, 36 year old Nasir Hussain.

Minister helps launch HSE’s Health and Work Strategy

The Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt MP will today (Thur 15 Dec) pledge her support for a new strategy for health in Britain’s workplaces.

Building company fined for putting childminder and children at risk

A building company and its director have been fined for breaching Gas Safety law after putting a childminder and children in her care at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Staffordshire Logistics Company fined over safety failings

A Logistics company based in Staffordshire has been fined after two employees were injured in two days.

Engineering firm fined over safety breach

An engineering firm was sentenced today for safety breaches after a worker suffered life affecting injuries.

Drunk farmer imprisoned for killing young boy while driving tractor

A self-employed farm worker has been imprisoned after running over and killing a young boy with his tractor, while 2.5 times over the legal drinking limit.

Builder prosecuted for worker’s fall

A builder from Surrey has been prosecuted for the fall of a worker

Asbestos removal supervisor fined for exposing workers to deadly fibres

An asbestos removal supervisor has been sentenced after admitting exposing numerous workers to deadly asbestos fibres during licensed asbestos removal works.

Crushing plant operative left seriously injured

A crushing plant firm has been fined after worker lost his left arm when it was dragged into exposed machinery.

NHS trust fined following patients death

A South West NHS trust has been fined £200,000 after a patient fell to their death from a window.

Residential care home fined after resident choked to death

A care home based in Fleet, Hampshire has been fined after an elderly resident who had difficulties swallowing choked to death on food which had not been cut up.

Sentence after self-employed builder suffers serious electric shock

A real estate lettings company was sentenced today for safety breaches after a self- employed builder suffered 1st and 3rd degree burns to his face, hands, neck and chest.

Essex Companies fined after employees exposed to asbestos

Two Essex-based companies have been fined after exposing workers to potentially deadly asbestos over a period of years, despite knowing of its presence, in units that they occupied in Manor Road Trading Estate, Benfleet.

Asbestos removal supervisor fined for exposing workers to deadly fibres

An asbestos removal supervisor has been sentenced after admitting exposing numerous workers to deadly asbestos fibres during licensed asbestos removal works.

HSL: Asbestos – Managing asbestos in domestic and non-domestic premises – Buxton, 17 Jan 2017

This one-day course gives you the knowledge to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises to the standards required by Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR 2012).