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Police force fined after officer hit by car on Christmas Eve

A student police officer sustained life-threatening and life-changing injuries from the incident.

The officer was struck by a passing car while managing traffic at the scene of a road traffic collision on an unlit single carriageway road.

HSE’s investigation found:

the force failed to do all that was reasonably practicable to manage risks arising from traffic collisions
risk assessments were not suitable and sufficient
adequate equipment for safely responding to traffic collisions was not provided
there was a lack of suitable information, instruction and training for officers

The force was fined £85,800.

Seven workers developed vibration-related conditions, including nerve damage and finger balancing, after being exposed to vibration risks at work.

HSE’s investigation found the fabrications company had failed to:

suitably and sufficiently assess the risks from vibration exposure
implement organisational and technical measures to reduce vibration exposure to as low a level as reasonably practicable
place workers who were exposed to significant levels of vibration under a suitable health surveillance system
provide workers with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training

The company pled guilty to exposing multiple workers to vibration risks at work and were fined £44,000.

Other recent health and safety headlines include:

Employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for people working at home as for any other worker.

Our home working guidance provides straightforward actions to manage home workers’ health and safety.

This includes the risks of stress and poor mental health as well as working with display screen equipment (DSE).