Blog

‘Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven’ – W. Shakespeare.

Media

July 2016 – In the News

Cycle symbol

Sports Direct Treats Workers “As Commodities Rather Than Human Beings” A report by the Business, Innovation and Skills committee has accused Sports Direct, one of Europe’s biggest retailers, of not treating its workers like humans, after an investigation revealed “extremely disturbing working practices” and serious health and safety breaches at the company’s Shirebrook Warehouse. MPs […]

Man, 22, Fatally Injured by Falling Boxes

A stack of boxes that has fallen over.

A Plymouth company has been fined £500,000 after an employee suffered fatal injuries when a stack of boxes of frozen fish fell on him. Tomas Suchy, 22, an employee of Interfish Limited, was helping to clear up a fallen stack of frozen fish boxes in one of the cold store areas when there was another […]

£250k Fine after Employees are Overcome by Fumes

A judge's gavel

A food waste disposal and recycling firm has been fined £250,000 after three employees were overcome by toxic gases, including hydrogen sulphide, and a reduced oxygen atmosphere in an animal waste facility in Stoke-on-Trent. The prosecution comes 12 months after the firm was fined £660,000 following the death of an employee. Prosecuting, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) […]

Health and Safety at Britain’s Amusement Parks

Businessman riding on a roller coaster

British amusement parks were thrown into the media spotlight last year when an incident on the Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers left five people with serious injuries. Since the crash, even routine stops on rides around the country have made dramatic headlines – but how safe are they really? The record at theme parks and […]

HGV drivers warned after road worker crushed by runaway vehicle

A HGV

HGV drivers are being warned to follow basic safety procedures when coupling and uncoupling vehicles following the death of a 20-year-old road worker. HSE leaders are urging drivers to apply parking brakes and use (or retrofit) warning alarms to avoid a repeat of a fatal incident in January 2015. Road worker Dale Pentney was crushed […]

How leaving the EU could affect health and safety

EU flag

The coming referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union will be one of the big political issues of the next 12 months. Many people may be influenced on which way they vote in the referendum based on whether their jobs are dependent on, or influenced by, the EU. It is clear that every industry is in […]

Health and Safety Breaches Admitted after Tiger Mauls Keeper to Death

A zoo has admitted health and safety breaches after a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger in May 2013. Sarah McClay, 24, died at South Lakes Wild Animal Park (now known as South Lakes Safari Zoo), in Dalton-in-Furness, South Cumbria when a Sumatran tiger got through an unlocked gate and left deep puncture wounds […]

Be UV aware – Promoting sun safety for outdoor workers

Infograph on 'UV Rays and their effect on skin'

Five outdoor workers are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the UK: yet 90% of skin cancer deaths could be prevented if our exposure to UV rays were controlled. Deb – a leading innovator and supplier of skin care products and hand sanitising solutions – is proactively campaigning to raise awareness of the risks […]

Renovation disaster as £700k house collapses in Lewisham

Collapsed House

The renovation of a £700,000 house bought as a ‘doer-upper’ in south-east London turned into a nightmare when it collapsed during building work. Neighbours said it sounded “like a bomb had gone off” when part of the terraced house, reportedly bought just six months ago, fell down, shortly after it began to sag dramatically today. […]

June 2016 – In the News

A mirror showing vehicles in a car park.

Renovation disaster as £700k house in Lewisham collapses during building work The renovation of a £700,000 house bought as a ‘doer-upper’ in south-east London turned into a nightmare when it collapsed during building work. Neighbours said it sounded “like a bomb had gone off” when part of the terraced house, reportedly bought just six months […]