Health And Safety Fines Bulletin - 2 January 2014

The fines and costs which may flow from a safety related incident can be significant, not to mention the reputational stigma which the company will suffer. We set out below examples of recent prosecutions which give a flavour of the sentences handed down following conviction.

International manufacturer fined after worker is impaled Injury:

Death

Fine:

£173,332

Company:

Mapei UK Limited

Legislation:

Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act

Costs:

Amount of costs to be paid will be agreed at a later date.

Source:

HSE, 5 December 2013

Estate fined £140,000 after forestry worker killed whilst tree felling Injury:

Death

Fine:

£140,000

Company:

The Buccleuch Estates Limited

Legislation:

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Costs:

n/a

Source:

HSE, 19 December 2013

Sheffield Forgemasters fined over worker's cellar death Injury:

Death

Fine:

£120,000

Company:

Sheffield Forgemasters Steel Ltd

Legislation:

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Costs:

£125,000

Source:

HSE, 19 December 2013

Construction firm fined after five roofers injured in school steelwork collapse Injury:

5 workers seriously injured

Fine:

£100,000

Company:

Adstone Construction Ltd

Legislation:

Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Costs:

£106,098

Source:

HSE, 13 December 2013

Pharmaceuticals firms fined for chemical incidents at Welsh plant Injury:

Workers exposed to toxic substances

Fines:

£80,000 (Archimica)

£20,000 (Euticals - for health and safety breaches plus £20,000 for breach of environmental regulations)

Companies:

Archimica Chemicals Limited - now in liquidation

Euticals Ltd - now in liquidation

Legislation:

Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Section 31(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Costs:

n/a

Source:

HSE, 13 December 2013

West Yorkshire firm neglected safety for staff Injury:

Company failed to act to protect staff from hard arm vibration syndrome

Fine:

£52,500

Company:

Onesubsea UK Ltd

Legislation:

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Costs:

£92,000

Source:

HSE, 16 December 2013

Dorset firm fined after Christmas crane collapse Injury:

No injuries

Fine:

£35,000

Company:

McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd

Legislation:

Sections 2 and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Costs:

£47,681

Source:

HSE, 6 December 2013

Council fined after worker suffered severe life changing injuries Injury:

Severe...