News: Don’t panic over fire cables! The Fire Industry Association has issued technical guidance on the effects of painting over fire resistant cables. Further information: https://www.fia.uk.com/news/the-fire-industry-association-release-new-technical-guidance-painting-of-fire-resistant- cables.html News: London Fire Brigade equipped for higher storeys The LFB has published a list of improvements implemented since the Grenfell Tower fire, including telescopic ladders able to reach 23 storeys. Further information: https://www.fia.uk.com/news/london-fire-brigade-elevates-safety-standards-with-revolutionary-equipment-post-grenfell- inquiry.html News: Vibrating alert devices Vibrating alert devices are a valuable part of measures to ensure that those with poor or no hearing can receive an alarm signal. The FIA has issued guidance on their use. Further information: https://www.fia.uk.com/news/technical-guidance-released-on-the-installation-of-vibrating-tactile-devices.html News: Poor quality of work can increase fire risk A structural safety body which receives whistle-blower reports on dangerous buildings has published concerns over two recent incidents. In one case electrical installations were wrong, nearly causing a fire, and in another an attempt was made to improve fire doors, which actually made them less effective. The CROSS-UK reporter said they were “concerned that unqualified maintenance personnel are carrying out repairs to safety critical systems and installations with the potential for serious injury or loss of life”. Further information: https://www.cross-safety.org/uk/safety-information/cross-safety-report/lack-fire-safety-competence-care-home-setting-1255 Case law: Nut fell onto live bus bar A recent case shows the care which is required when working around live electrical equipment. Aberla M&E Limited was prosecuted followed an accident in which a worker was badly burned in an electrical flash. He and a colleague had been carrying out cabling and jointing works on a main switchboard, when a bolt fell through a gap in protective panels onto live bus bars. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/14/company-fined-as-worker-suffers-serious-burns/ Case law: Recycling firm fined £200K for arm amputation A scrap metal recycling company has been prosecuted over an accident in which an employee’s arm was entangled in a rotary valve. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/06/metal-recycling-company-fined-200000-after-employees-arm-severed/ Case law: Driver fell from trailer A timber processing company has been fined £380,000 after an accident in which a reversing forklift truck struck a trailer, causing a man to fall. The delivery driver suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/01/company-fined-after-delivery-driver-suffers-brain-injury/ Case law: Leg amputated after mobile elevating work platform collision Baker & Baker Products Ltd, has been fined £400,000 after an employee’s leg was crushed beneath a cherry picker. The company’s risk assessment had identified a need for the MEWP to be escorted, but no safe system of work and training was put in place for the banksman. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/25/bakery-company-fined-400000-after-employee-has-left-leg-amputated/ Case law: Crushed by excavator while erecting safety signs A company has been prosecuted Materials Movement Limited after a fatal accident in which a young engineer was run down by an excavator whilst erecting safety signs. In court the company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £133,330 plus costs of £8,500. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/22/company-fined-after-perfect-son-crushed-to-death/ Case law: Fall whilst carrying materials on ladder Solar panel installation company, Everyone’s Energy UK Limited, has appeared in court over a fall which left a worker with a severe brain injury. The HSE found that the scaffolding was not sufficient and there was no appropriate means for raising materials to roof level. In court the company pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 4(1), Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £28,000 plus costs of £6,634. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/12/company-fined-after-worker-fractures-skull/ Case law: Killed in 1.8m fall Amberley Homes (Kent) Ltd has appeared in court after a worker fell through an unguarded opening in a scaffold and fell less than two metres. The case highlights the risks of falling from relatively low heights. A safety consultant supporting the company had identified a lack of competent site management but this was not addressed. As a result, holes were created in the scaffold and left unprotected, for long periods. In court, the company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1), Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £25,000 plus costs of £83,842. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/15/construction-firm-fined-after-worker-dies-from-fall/ Case law: Tonnes of asbestos insulation board removed without precautions A director has been handed an eight month prison sentence for choosing to remove asbestos unsafely during a refurbishment project. Stephen Davies and his fellow director had obtained a quote from a licensed asbestos removal contractor, but decided to save the cost by doing it themselves via their labourers. No precautions were taken. In court, the very serious offence resulted in a rare custodial sentence for Stephen Davies after he pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 37(1), Health and safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The other director was given an unpaid work order and the company was fined £30,000. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/03/27/director-jailed-for-failing-to-protect-workers-from-asbestos-exposure/