Improving Farm Safety
A new health and safety partnership has been launched to reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s farms and crofts each year. Figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that over the past decade almost 80 men, women and children have died on Scottish farms and significantly more […]
Report Reveals Extent of Public Liability Accidents
Slips, trips and falls were by far the main cause of public liability accidents in Ireland in 2013, according to recent figures from the Irish Injuries Board. Over 1,700 public liability awards were made during the year, with total compensation awarded amounting to €44 million. The average public liability award rose year on year by almost […]
Farm safety still the biggest challenge
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has published its latest Annual Report, in which it claims that farm safety continues to be its biggest challenge as it strives to improve health and safety standards in workplaces across Northern Ireland. There were 19 work-related fatalities in 2012/13 and once again the farming sector dominated the […]
Major overhaul of Coroner Services in England and Wales
The needs of bereaved families will be put at the heart of a reformed coroner system by a new national code, according to Justice Minister Helen Grant. The new legal framework will ensure all 96 coroners in England and Wales will work to the same standards, ending the past inconsistencies which led to criticisms of […]
HSE Crown Censure of MOD over death of cadet
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been censured over safety failings that led to the death of a 14-year-old cadet. Kaylee McIntosh died in August 2007 after becoming trapped beneath the boat she was in when it capsized on Loch Carnan in bad weather. A Health and Safety Executive investigation found a series of serious failings by […]
Builder fined £15,000 after carbon monoxide death
A builder has pleaded guilty to a contravention of Sections 3 and 33 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Haddington Sheriff Court, and was fined £15,000. The builder had been contracted to rebuild the chimney on a property in Gifford but failed to ensure that it was fully cleared of […]
Supreme Court rules in mesothelioma liability case
The Supreme Court has given its decision in the appeal by insurance companies over their obligations under various contracts of employers’ liability (“EL”) insurance. In particular, the appeals concern the scope of the insurers’ obligations to indemnify employers against their liabilities towards employees who have contracted mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma has an unusually […]
Experts call for landowners to take more responsibility
Health and safety experts have called on landowners to take more care and responsibility when looking after trees on their land. In light of recent fatalities and injuries sustained from falling trees and branches, members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) are reminding landowners and managers of the potential risks that failing […]
Demolition firm sentenced over asbestos danger
A demolition firm has been sentenced after knocking down a building in the Lake District containing hundreds of asbestos ceiling tiles, putting the lives of workers and local residents at risk. IBT Contracting Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after carrying out the work at a former photography factory, despite not […]
Window and door manufacturer fined after worker killed
A firm specialising in the manufacture of wooden doors and windows has been fined for safety failings after a worker died at its Leyton premises. Andrzej Rokita had been with M M Contracting Ltd for only ten days when he attempted to help his son, also an employee, to remove a large board from the […]
