Construction Health & Safety News, Advice and Information from PP Construction Safety

New safety leaflets for construction site builders now on HSE website

Four short and plain guides for ’busy builders’ have been posted on the HSE website.

These cover the following issues: (1) Running a small construction site  (2) Manual Handling (3) Roofwork and (4)  Welfare

HSE construction proactive enforcement rising and prosecutions falling

Our provisional analysis of HSE Enforcement Registers suggests that number of HSE Construction Division proactive enforcement notices issued contines to rise and increased 22% during 2009. 

The number of prosecution cases fell 9% over the same period. Read the rest of this article »

Builder fined after workers on extension put at risk

Shane Homes Limited, of Hull has been today fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £799 costs at Beverley Magistrates’ Court on 10 March 2010 after using unsafe scaffolding. The court heard that during a routine inspection on a house extension HSE observed working on scaffolding that was unsafe and posed a risk of serious injury. Read the rest of this article »

Prosecution cases and enforcement notices added to register

The records of enforcement action taken by HSE Construction Division during the week 27 December 2009 to 04 January 2010 were added to the HSE database on 10 March 2010.

There were no construction sector prosecutions added to the HSE Register during this period. There was 1 construction sector enforcement notice added to the HSE Register. Read the rest of this article »

Merseyside builder fined for putting lives at risk

A Merseyside builder has been fined £1,500 after he and another man were spotted working on a pub roof in St Helens without safety equipment. 

HSE prosecuted Charles Molloy (Molloy Building Contractors T/A) after an inspector spotted the men on the roof of the Black Horse Hotel on Park Road on 18 June 2009. Read the rest of this article »

Manslaughter charges anticipated after alleged evidence of poor repair 

The owner of a crane which collapsed in New York in 2008 is expected to face charges of manslaughter.

The incident led to the death of two workmen. Investigation by Manhattan District Attorney is said to have revealed evidence the crane was not properly repaired after being struck by lightning. See full report.

Firm fined after worker trapped for two hours in trench collapse

Vickers Construction Limited, has been ordered by Darlington Magistrates to pay over £8k in fines and prosecution costs after a groundworker was injured and trapped for more than two hours when a trench collapsed.

The court heard that the incident occurred in November 2008 as an excavator was being used to open a trench for drainage pipes on a sloping bank near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Read the rest of this article »

‘Fit Notes’ and Health Adviceline to support earlier returns to work

From 6 April 2010, doctors will be able to advise if a patient ‘may be fit for work’ and offer advice on the effects of their health condition. Patients may be declared able to work if temporary changes e.g. reduced hours / amended duties could be accommodated.

A new occupational health adviceline is being extended to give every small business in Britain easy access to professional occupational health advice from 1 April 2010. Read the rest of this article »

If you think construction work is up and down try ferry work!

This short video clip shows a passenger ferry (The Caribou) operating between Port-aux-Basques in (Newfoundland) and North Sydney (Nova Scotia) in the winter.

As you watch, remember this ferry carries 1200 passengers, with two vehicle decks holding 370 motoe vehicles and 77 tractor trailers!

Trapped groundworker rescued by defendant and firefighters

Contractor Anthony Hill (Hill Plant Hire T/A) of Sawston, Cambridgeshire has been ordered to pay over £5k in fines and prosecution costs at Cambridge Magistrates Court on 4 March 2010.

The 58-year-old builder was in charge of groundwork on a construction project in October 2007 when a trench collapsed on one of his employees. Read the rest of this article »

Builder prosecuted after failing to provide adequate welfare facilities

Bryan Ellis Brown, a partner in Bryan Brown & Son, of Bridlington has been fined for providing below par welfare facilities on a small site in July 2009. 

Magistrates heard that a toilet unit was not plumbed in, and there was no water supplied to sinks in a cabin or adjacent toilet compartment at the construction site for a pair of cottages. Read the rest of this article »

Blacklisting trades unionists now outlawed under new regulations

It is now unlawful for trade union members to be denied employment through blacklists, under new regulations which came into effect on 2 March 2010.

The Government has introduced new rules banning the practice following public consultation on the subject and evidence that a number of employers in the construction sector had been unlawfully vetting workers. Read the rest of this article »

Companies committed to crown court after motorway worker death

Three companies facing an HSE prosecution have been committed to the Crown Court for trial. The proceedings follow an incident in which a motorway worker died when crushed against crash barriers on the M25 Holmesdale Tunnel, Enfield.

The defendants: Carillion Highway Maintenance Ltd, Traffic Management (North East) Ltd and CD Fencing and Construction Services Ltd are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on April 27 2010. Further details.

Workman falls from scaffold whilst barrowing bricks on platform

A young construction worker has died after falling from scaffolding on a Chestnut Homes development in Skegness, Lincs. He is understood to have also been struck by falling building materials.

Justin Gillman, aged 26, is believed to have been pushing a wheel barrow of bricks on the scaffolding when he fell on Friday 26 February 2010. Further details.

Intensive inspection initiative launched across UK

HSE wants to raise awareness of construction site risks and prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths. The inspection initiative starts on 1 March 2010 and will focus on refurbishment or roofing work.

Inspectors will make unannounced visits to ensure that sites are managing work at height safely and are in good order. Read the rest of this article »

Investigation launched after workman dies following ladder fall

The Northumberland Gazette has reported brief details of a fatal accident on a project Belford, Northumberland. A 62 year-old workman fell from a ladder at Adderstone Hall.  He was air-lifted to Newcastle General Hospital where he later died.

Death on Barrow Docks roads project thought to be work related 

Cumbrian police are carrying out a joint investigation with HSE after a workman died at the Barrow Docks project.

The deceased man is reported be a sub-contractor to major contractor Carillion which is building the Waterfront link roads on the former docks land. Further details.

Water firm fined after faulty safety device put operator in intensive care

Northumbrian Water has been ordered to pay more than £34k in fines and prosecution costs following the potentially fatal crushing of the operator of a skid steer loader in Norfolk. Read the rest of this article »

Council and contractor fined after fatal reversing of surfacing truck

Rotherham Council and Brocklebank & Co Ltd have been ordered to pay over £135k in fines and prosecution costs after the death of a workman who was crushed beneath the nearside wheels of the vehicle during road surfacing operations. Read the rest of this article »

Birmingham developer highlights working together benefits

With work almost completed on Birmingham’s landmark development, The Cube, the developer has been recognised for the way it has worked closely and positively with the HSE to reduce slips, trips and falls.

The on site management team for Builldability, the Birmingham Development Company construction arm, has been in regular, ongoing talks with the HSE construction team, working closely to ensure on site safety is a priority. Read the rest of this article »