Lawford Kidd's Blog

St Mirren midfielder John McGinn is taking legal action against his former club following a training ground prank that saw him seriously injured.

The 20-year-old midfielder was spiked in the leg by a training pole after it was thrown at him at a training session at club’s training ground in April. McGinn fell over a training pole before the club captain Stephen Thompson threw another pole while he was on the floor.

As a result of the injury, McGinn was unable to play for the rest of the season and with his contract set to expire, was unable to try and win a new contract or a move to another club.

There has been a 16% rise in the number of fatalities on Scotland’s roads, with totals rising from 172 in 2013 to 200 in 2014, according to the latest provisional figures from Transport Scotland.

There was also a 1% increase in the number of people seriously injured. However, the total number of casualties has apparently fallen by 2%, from 11,504 to 11,240.

Looking at the figures in more detail, they show that 18 more pedestrians were killed in 2014 than in 2013, but five fewer pedal cyclists. In addition, the number of motorcyclists killed on the roads increased by eight and car users by four.

Improving the safety of transport workers has been a recent priority for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Through a series of live demonstrations, arranged by IOSH's Food and Drink and Retail and Distribution groups, the organisation highlighted the hazards faced by HGV drivers and other working in the transport sector, with a specific focus on loading-area and yard safety.

Alton Towers, one of the most popular theme parks in the United Kingdom, temporarily closed its doors earlier this week following a major accident, which brought in to question the safety of park-goers.

Four people were hurt after a crash on ‘The Smiler’ rollercoaster, the investigation remains on-going with HSE inspectors still at the park.

A property company based in Lancashire has been found guilty of exposing workers to dangerous conditions when working at heights.

Responding to complaints about the working conditions and the safety conditions for workers, the Health and Safety Executive sent officials to investigate the claims. The inspectors found workers stripping slates from a fragile roof without any measures in place to prevent a fall through it. The report from officials stated that the worker was in a life-threatening position and could have easily perished as a result of the lack of health and safety procedures.

As a result of the report and findings of inspectors KML (Properties) Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of Work at Height Regulations and was fined £10,400 as well as pleading guilty to other breaches of employment law.