Between February 2016 and August 2016, we have seen a significant HSE Fines increase. These totalled totalled £20.6 million, compared to £14.4 million in February 2015 to August 2015 (please note that these costs may in fact be significantly higher as the data does not include sentences imposed in cases prosecuted by local authorities). HSE…
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In July HSE ran a consultation on health and safety enforcement allocation with a view to how it shares its enforcement role with local authorities EHO’s (environmental health officers). A number of options were on the table ranging from completely absorbing the LAs’ regulatory powers for health and safety to allocating them greater duties. It…
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Research by law firm Clyde & Co. has shown that the number of company directors prosecuted by HSE in the year to 31 March 2016 more than trebled from 15 to 46 persons. In the same period the number of employees prosecuted has fallen from 10 persons to just 1. According to the research of…
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A major supermarket chain acting as CDM Client under the 2015 Regulations has received a combined fine of over half a million pounds after serious failings led to the fall of a worker through a fragile skylight 10 metres to the floor below. CDM Client fined £500k over lack of pre-construction information Tesco Stores Ltd…
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Health in construction is a big issue and HSE are pushing hard to get the message out to clients of all sizes that health in construction is a very high risk. The latest figures show that as many as 100 staff per week die from ill health causes through their job – and that’s just…
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Back in 2013 we wrote a post informing you of the changes which were made on strict liability which links directly to no win no fee liability; read our original post here A number of changes were put together which aimed to cap the costs charged by solicitors and to remove the incentive to make…
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In a move which we suspected might come to pass some years ago it has been announced that health and safety enforcement may change for smaller businesses. During July 2016 the HSE ran a consultation on health and safety enforcement allocation. Chiefly, it looked at the role of the local authorities. A range of options…
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Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts on exactly how to keep you staff safe when working at height. To secure a place(s) please complete the registration page at: Book your free place now! The construction industry has taken huge strides forward in tackling risk and reducing injury rates over recent years but still…
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The owner of a Gloucester takeaway (Best Takeaway, 136 Eastgate Street, Gloucester) has this week been prosecuted for serious breaches of fire safety legislation. Ilhami Ince, originally of London, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on the 15th August 2016 for failing to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This hearing followed an earlier…
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Norwich-based Solar panel installer Durrant Electrical and Mechanical Ltd, trading as Green Home Energy Solutions, had admitted a single charge of breaching working at height regulations on September 26, 2013. Solar panel installer falls through fragile asbestos roof, company fined more than £20,000 The accident occurred when employee Chris Eldon was measuring up an asbestos roof…
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