This report contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0. The bulletin is based on press releases, unless stated otherwise, from the HSE published in the last 3 weeks for fines under the Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974.
Health and safety appeals
[2019] EWCA Crim 227, 26/02/2019
Squibb Group Ltd appealed against its conviction for failing to comply with its duty under s.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, for which it was fined £400,000. The court varied the sentence by imposing a fine of £190,000.
Health and safety fines
In decreasing fine order
Company fined after worker killed by overhead power line strike
Injury: Death
Fine: £400,000
Entity: Options Energy Resource LLP
Legislation: Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Costs: £17,242.33
Source: HSE, 8th March 2019
Two companies fined after worker is fatally crushed at paper mill
Injury: Death
Fines: £350,000 for each company
Entities: C M Downton (Haulage Contractors) Limited
UPM-Kymmene (UK) Limited
Legislation: Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (CM Downton)
Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (UPM-Kymmene)
Costs: £6,613.90 plus £170 victim surcharge (CM Downton)
£6,711.90 plus £170 victim surcharge (UPM-Kymmene)
Source: HSE, 20th February 2019
Two companies fined after worker is fatally crushed at paper mill
Injury: Death
Fines: £350,000 for each company
Entities: C M Downton (Haulage Contractors) Limited
UPM-Kymmene (UK) Limited
Legislation: Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (CM Downton)
Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (UPM-Kymmene)
Costs: £6,613.90 plus £170 victim surcharge (CM Downton)
£6,711.90 plus £170 victim surcharge (UPM-Kymmene)
Source: HSE, 20th February 2019
Company fined for exposing workers to harmful chemicals
Injury: None; fine for exposing workers to harmful chemicals
Fine: £224,000
Entity: Fine Organics Ltd
Legislation: Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Costs: £17,098
Source: HSE, 4th March 2019
Manufacturer fined after contractor suffers fatal fall through skylight
Injury: Death
Fine: £200,000
Entity: Landor Cartons Limited
Legislation: Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulations 4(1) and 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005
Costs: £12,569.52
Source: HSE, 20th February 2019
Distribution company fined after worker seriously-injured on first day of work
Injury: Serious injuries including a traumatic brain injury and facial fractures requiring metal plates to be inserted into skull
Fine: £60,000
Entity: H & M Distribution Limited
Legislation: Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Costs: £7,203.14
Source: HSE, 27th February 2019
Company fined after worker suffers multiple injuries in fall from height
Injury: Multiple injuries including a fractured spine, a fractured skull and a small collapse of one of his lungs
Fine: £20,000
Entity: Rivergate Developments Ltd
Legislation: Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Costs: £1,020
Source: HSE, 28th February 2019
Company fined for poor condition of asbestos containing materials
Injury: None
Fine: £1 (fine would have been £800,000 but that this was reduced due to the company being in administration)
Entity: Godfrey-Syrett Limited (in administration)
Legislation: Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 4(8) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Costs: n/a
Source: HSE, 21st February 2019
A round-up of recent fines and costs resulting from health and safety related incidents. For further information on any of these matters please contact Andrew Sanderson of our Health and Safety Group.