Manslaughter: Bosses beware

From 6 April, if a worker is killed in the workplace, it’s no longer the men in suits from the HSE that will come knocking on your headquarters’ door. Instead, warns Michael Glackin, it’s more likely to be the police, who will be asking…
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HSE issues cable warning after explosion prosecution

Contractor fined £32,000 following accident that left two workmen with serious burns
The Health and Safety Executive has issued a warning about live electricity cables on site following a prosecution over an incident that saw two workmen seriously burned.
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Engineers halted London Eye for over an hour on Monday evening leaving passengers stranded mid-air

Four hundred London Eye passengers were trapped mid-air for over an hour on Monday evening due to a technical fault. Operators noticed a problem with one of the four tyres which turn the wheel and engineers halted the Eye mid-cycle to remove the tyre.
The tourists were stranded up to 450ft above the ground and [...]

Revealed: the Tesco collapse that killed a three year old

Building obtains a report that cites ‘poor construction’ in fatal 2006 accident in Turkey
A three-year-old girl was crushed to death after the roof of a newly-built Tesco store in Turkey collapsed in part owing to flawed construction, a report obtained by Building reveals.
The tragedy, which occurred in Antalya, south-west Turkey, in September 2006, has never [...]

HSE says about 69 construction workers died in 2007/08

Safety body releases figures that show a 10% improvement on last year
The HSE has said that around 69 construction workers were killed at work in 2007/08.
The safety body released the figures, which are still subject to validation, this afternoon. The numbers point to a 10% improvement on last year’s figures; however the HSE has warned [...]

Fork-lift truck driver fined for injuring colleague

A fork-lift truck driver has been prosecuted by the HSE for causing serious injuries to a colleague.
Gerald Wyatt was fined £1,750 after striking an employee with his truck, causing a fractured pelvis, cuts and bruises. The accident happened onsite at Eardisley Sawmills, Herefordshire, in January 2007.
Worcester Crown Court heard that Wyatt was driving a rough [...]

Man killed in construction accident

A BUILDER in his twenties has been killed following an accident in Bedgrove this afternoon.
The man died after the ditch he was working in collapsed in the garden of a house in Langdon Avenue, at about 12.30pm.
Detective Inspector Vince Grey, who is at the scene, said: “It was a tragic accident.
“One young gentleman has been [...]

Safety body vows ‘no let-up’ in battle to reduce Wrexham accidents

HEALTH and safety inspectors have vowed not to be complacent after a sharp rise in the number of injuries at work in Wrexham.
Latest statistics show that nine construction workers suffered a major injury at work between 2006 and 2007 in Wrexham, compared with three between 2005 and 2006.
Across the border in Chester, the number of [...]

‘The red tape has got out of hand’

Accountants in West Yorkshire are urging the European Commission to cut red tape for small firms.
The weight of red tape is one of the main reasons for the imminent closure of McCann’s DIY store in Oak Lane, Manningham, a family-run business which has been trading for more than 60 years.
Bradford accountants’ leader David Warren, of [...]

Double whammy for employers if health and safety Bill becomes law

Employers could face the double threat of jail sentences and bigger fines for relatively minor health and safety offences under new legislation.
The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Keith Hill, is progressing through Parliament and has a good chance of becoming law.
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Athletics club thrown by safety fears

Diss Athletics Club has received a hammer blow after vital equipment was removed from its grounds because of health and safety fears.
The hammer and discus cage, which could cost £10,000 to replace, was taken away last week after being declared unfit for use by UK Athletics and Diss Town Council.
The action comes at the start [...]

Gladiators return hit by injuries

Sky One’s eagerly anticipated return of Gladiators has been hit by injuries and problems with the set as they prepare to shoot the first show tomorrow night.
At least one contestant has already had to withdraw from Saturday’s recording of the first episode of the new Gladiators series, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal.
Some of the games are [...]