Risk, Health and Safety Information

House under construction collapses

The entire second floor of an end of terrace house under construction has collapsed to first floor level in West Ealing.

Firefighters and the brigade’s Urban Search and Rescue crews were called to the scene to search the building for any casualties.

Station Manager Chris Frewin said: “The USAR team have rescued a man who was trapped and he is being treated by the London Ambulance Service. Another man has also been treated for minor injuries.”

Fire engines from Southall and Ealing fire stations and fire rescue units from Battersea and Croydon fire stations all attended the scene. 

Health and safety concerns lead to improvement notice for large company

Health and safety concerns at Nestle’s factory have led to the company being given an improvement notice.

Inspectors from the HSE found issues with the way fire alarms were raised at Nestle and discovered a lack of signage pointing towards emergency escape routes.

They also saw a lack of adequate control on vehicles and people moving around the site, and said that areas of the construction site at the coffee factory were not kept in good order.

A spokesman for Nestle said: "Quality and safety for our consumers and valued workers is Nestle's top priority. We carried out a full review of controls in place to manage the issues raised. Following the improvements, issues raised were all promptly closed by the HSE".

Firm failed to protect worker from hazardous substances

Macfarlan Smith Limited of Edinburgh pleaded guilty to safety failings after an employee was exposed to hazardous substances.

The company, that manufactures basic pharmaceutical products, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and was fined £27,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The court heard that between 6 April 2004 and 28 January 2010, the company failed to review and ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employee, Michael Halpin.

Mr Haplin continued to work with 14-Hydroxycodeinone and other hazardous substances, such as Oxycodone after he had been diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis as a result of the exposure. Despite advice from a medical professional, Mr Haplin continued to work with both substances which resulted in him suffering from an adverse health effect, namely skin sensation.

After being employed by Macfarlan Smith Limited for approximately 17 years, Macfarlan Smith Ltd considered it impossible to redeploy Mr Halpin to suitable alternative duties due to his sensitisation, and his employment was terminated on 31 December 2010 on grounds of capability.

Waste firm fined after worker suffered life changing injuries in fall

Waste and recycling services company Veolia ES Staffordshire Ltd (part of Veoila UK group) have been prosecuted after a worker suffered life changing injuries when he fell more than 8 feet from height.

On 2 May 2014 the worker, who does not wish to be named, fell from the unprotected edge of a ‘grizzly conveyor’ at the firm’s site on Enterprise Drive whilst clearing items caught on the conveyor’s forks.

Veoila ES Staffordshire Ltd of London pleaded guilty at Stafford Magistrates court to 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 and were fined a total of £16,600 and ordered to pay £1,773.15 in costs with a victim surcharge of £120.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Katherine Blunt said:

 “This incident was entirely preventable, clearing the conveyor in this way was a routine part of the job but no risk assessment had been carried out. If it had it would have been obvious edge protection was essential.

” The injured worker is still suffering from his injuries now and has only been able to return to work on limited duties.
” Falls from height are the most common cause of serious injury and fatalities in the workplace, it’s imperative that risk assessments are carried out and suitable control measures are put in place to eliminate or reduce the risks”.