Company fined after an explosion seriously injured two employees
A company which produces electricity from food waste by anaerobic digestion, has been fined more than £300,000 after an explosion caused two employees to suffer life changing injuries.
The metal tank the two men were working on was projected high into the air before crashing to the ground nine seconds later.
Footage of the blast has been released.
On 20 September 2017, two employees of Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited were using a grinder to cut and replace pipework at the top of an 11-metre high metal tank containing waste slurry. They were not using harnesses. Sparks from the grinder ignited flammable gasses causing the tank to explode.
Footage of the explosion captured by CCTV has now been released.
Read more on the HSE website.
Time to tackle ‘scourge’ of work-related ill health
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is calling for Government action to tackle “the scourge” of work-related ill health.
It comes as new figures reveal that 1.7 million people were suffering from poor health caused by work last year, leading to 29.6 million lost working days.
IOSH believes the Government needs to invest in stronger measures which support businesses in preventing work-related ill health, including strengthening pathways to good mental health support and occupational health services.
The Government recently announced a £240 million investment into local services which help people back into work as part of its ‘Get Britain Working’ programme.
“These figures are very concerning and reveal the scourge of work-related ill health. Poor health and safety harms people, communities and businesses. It also has a damaging impact on the economy and creates more pressure on the NHS,” said Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH.
Learn more on the HSM website.
Wake Up And Smell The Ransomware—Starbucks Impacted By Cyber Attack
A cyber attack, confirmed as being ransomware, against the AI-driven supply chain platform Blue Yonder is having a broader impacts on both sides of the pond: Starbucks in the U.S. is said to be affected as as at least two of the big four U.K. retail supermarket chains. Here’s what we know so far.
Company fined £1.6m following the death of 24-year-old
A company has been fined £1.6m after a 24-year-old man was crushed to death.
Jack Phillips lost his life on 8 August 2019 while working for Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd at South Cliff Tower in Eastbourne.
Jack had been assisting while temporary Mast Climber Work Platform sections were being lifted by a lorry mounted crane.
The load fell on top of Jack when the lifting sling which was attached to the crane snapped.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Sussex Police found Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, trading as Lyndon SGB, failed to properly plan the lifting operation of the work platform. The company, a provider of temporary access equipment, had failed to identify a requirement for safe exclusion zones.
The company also failed to have a suitable robust system in place to ensure all accessories had been thoroughly examined or disposed when expired. This resulted in out-of-date slings being used.
Visit the SHP website to read more.
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