prosecutions

13th March 2024

Scottish chemical company fined £400,000

A Scottish chemical company has been fined £400,000 after an employee was seriously injured while carrying out a routine task at one of its sites.  Whilst attempting to clear a blockage in a sump, which contained a solution of caustic, the injured person fell and sustained severe burn injuries, after the covering grating collapsed. An investigation by the HSE found that the company had failed to undertake a risk assessment of the work involved. There was also no safe system of work in place, the grating was not secured and there were no barriers in place to prevent a fall into the sump.

11th March 2024

Essex scrap metal company fined £200,000

An Essex scrap metal recycling company has been fined £200,000 after an employee’s arm was severed when it became entangled in a catalytic converter sampling machine. She passed her hand through an unguarded rotary valve to remove a blockage.  HSE guidance states that employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. This will normally be by fixed guarding but where routine access is needed interlocked guards may be installed to stop the movement of dangerous parts before a person can reach the danger zone.

8th March 2024

AHerefordshire steel manufacturing company fined £120,000

A Herefordshire steel manufacturing company has been fined £120,000 after a worker was killed after becoming trapped between two heavy steel beams. An investigation by the HSE found that the risk assessment for the task in question had been not been carried out by competent person. Employees had not been provided with sufficient information and training about carrying out lifting operations at the site.  In addition, the company had not properly planned the lifts and did not have a system for ensuring that there were adequately qualified supervisors present during lifting operations.