HSE issues guidance for firefighters on balancing duties with risk

A new policy statement from the HSE aims to clarify how firefighters can balance health and safety requirements with their operational duties.

Trench collapse trapped worker for two hours

A small building firm faces a £8178 penalty after a trench collapsed and trapped a worker from the waist down.

Firm blows £31,000 after scaffolding collapsed in high winds

A contractor has been prosecuted for endangering members of the public and violating the Work at Height Regulations after unsecured scaffolding was blown over into a residential street.

WaH and CDM breaches land refurbisher in court

Six safety breaches have landed a property developer with a £20,000 penalty after a refurbishment site inspection revealed missing scaffolding supports, unsuitable ladders and unguarded edges.

ICE aims to demystify SFARP

A new guide aimed at demystifying the legal requirement for building designers or managers to reduce risk “so far as is reasonably practicable” has been published by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Government welcomes no-win no-fee reform proposals

The government has said it is examining Lord Justice Jackson’s recommendations to put an end to disproportionate civil litigation costs and is “assessing the implications” and potential economic impact of the proposals.

Window firm in the frame over employee’s lost finger

A window manufacturer that traded without liability insurance has been fined £10,000 after an employee sliced his hand on an unguarded saw.

Manager’s stress costs MoJ £51,000

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) prison service has paid £51,000 to a former manager in an out-of-court settlement after he was forced to leave his job because of workplace bullying.

Carillion fined £185,000 after employee struck by truck

Traffic management failures that led to a truck running over a worker on a building site have cost major construction contractor Carillion £194,821.

Veolia worker killed by falling bin

The UK’s largest waste management company, Veolia, must pay £350,000 after an 1100-litre recycling bin fell from a faulty hoist and killed a refuse collector.