Utility infrastructure company sentenced after worker struck with pipe
Forefront Utilities Limited has been fined after an employee was seriously injured when a pipe fell into the trench he was working in.
The employee had entered the trench to connect gas pipes. The new pipes were resting on packing timber across the trench, but their weight caused the tarmac to give way. The pipes then fell into the trench resulting in significant injuries, including a fractured spine. The incident has left the employee paralysed with no feeling in his bowel.
A subsequent HSE investigation found that the method being used to join newly laid sections of pipe with previously laid pipe was not safe.
Penalty
Forefront Utilities Limited was found guilty, fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £56,686.
Breach
Forefront Utilities Limited was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Section 2(1) requires that every employer ensures, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees.
Passenger lift contractor fined after worker loses thumb
A company has been fined after a worker lost their thumb while working on passenger lifts at Tufnell Park underground station.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard how the worker had been replacing the lifts at the station. On 26 October 2015 weights were being lowered and guided down a lift void when the load fell and amputated the employee’s thumb.
A subsequent HSE investigation identified that the lifting activity had not been planned appropriately or undertaken safely. The investigation also found that all four employees of the company (PD Lift Services Limited) had been exposed to serious work at height risks.
Penalty
PD Lift Services Limited pleaded guilty and was fined £36,000. The company was ordered to pay full costs of £1173.60, plus a victim surcharge of £120.
Hostel owners sentenced after employees placed at risk of asbestos exposure
Fines have been issued to two sister companies after an inspection found that asbestos exposure risk was not being managed appropriately at a site in Manchester.
An unannounced visit by the HSE found that the site, a hostel which was undergoing a basement conversion, had not been subject to an asbestos survey. However, tradesmen were found to have already commenced stripping out the majority of the space.
Hatters Taverns Limited had appointed sister company Hatters Hostel Limited as the main contractor for the works.
Penalty
In Manchester Crown Court, Hatters Taverns Limited pleaded guilty and was fined £10,000.
The sister company, Hatters Hostel Limited, pleaded guilty and was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay the combined costs for both defendants of £10,232.50.
Breaches
Hatters Taverns Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Under Regulation 4(3), dutyholders are required to ensure a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out to determine whether asbestos is present or liable to be present in the premises.
Hatters Hostel Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Under Regulation 5(a), employers must not undertake demolition, maintenance or other work which exposes or is liable to expose employees unless a suitable and sufficient assessment has been carried out to determine whether asbestos, what type of asbestos, contained in what material and in what condition is present or is liable to be present in those premises.
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