News and Knowledge

Company fined after residents put at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease

A company has been fined after vulnerable residents were put at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease at a sheltered housing accommodation in Birkenhead.   The deadly bacteria was detected at Vincent Naughton Court after samples of its water systems in the communal areas and flats were taken in July and August 2018.     With…

MoD admits it ‘did not do enough’ after soldier dies during training exercise

The Ministry of Defence has been handed a sanction by the Health and Safety Executive after a reservist died during a training exercise in North Yorkshire.   Staff Sergeant John McKelvie, 51, died in hospital after the Jackal he was driving rolled down a hill and overturned during an off-roading exercise at Catterick Training Area…

Company fined £40,000 after explosion at factory

A chemical factory has been fined following an explosion at its factory in the Scottish Borders.   The blast at Rathburn Chemicals in Walkerburn on 10 January 2020 resulted in a laboratory, which was part of the factory, being demolished.     According to the Health and Safety Executive, it was likely caused by excessive…

Companies fined after ‘fantastic father’ crushed to death at work

Two companies have been fined after a father-of-three was crushed to death by a machine at work.   The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the incident was entirely avoidable and Russell Hartley, 48 would still be alive had this work been planned, managed and monitored to a sufficient standard.     Mr. Hartley,…

Armed Forces Day – How we can help with Military Injuries

Armed Forces Day is here to pay tribute to the service men and women who go above and beyond to protect our country.   The annual event is held on the last Saturday of June every year, to celebrate all that troops do, as they put their lives at risk every day to ensure the…

Man sues British Airways for £5,000,000 after slipping on puddle of Baileys

A man is suing British Airways after he slipped on a puddle of Baileys Irish Cream liquor whilst running to catch his flight.   Andreas Wuchner claims he was travelling from London Heathrow to Zurich when the spilt alcohol caused him to slip and fall. Although it is unclear how the alcohol ended up on the floor,…

Pret fined £800,000 after employee trapped in freezer

Coffee and sandwich shop giant, Pret-A-Manger, has received a hefty £800,000 fine after one of its employees developed pneumonia after they became trapped in a freezer for two hours.   In an effort to keep warm, the staff member had attempted to break up cardboard croissant boxes to cover the vent blowing out freezing cold…

Accidents and workplace deaths

The recent story of a man in his 40s at the Hinkley Point C construction site serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by construction work.   This article can be read here. As we have many regulations and safeguards in place on construction sites in the UK, it is safe to assume that…

Common supermarket claims – slips, trips and falls

It has been found that accidents arising from slips, trips or falls are within the top three claims on supermarkets’ insurance policies.   In this article we discuss what action an injured person can take and how a supermarket can prevent this from occurring.     It has been estimated that the supermarket industry in…

Young workers are more likely to be injured

Experience counts for a great deal in the workplace, but this article from The Safety Mag, a publication in Canada, points out some of the common risks associated with workers under the age of 25.   Here is the article in question. Training can help limit the risk, together with proper instruction in how to…