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Worker killed after becoming entangled in lathe during machining operation

A worker sustained fatal injuries after becoming entangled in the moving parts of a lathe while applying handheld emery cloth to a rotating component. He died later that evening.

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

• prohibit the use of handheld emery cloth on lathes
• prevent access to dangerous moving parts of the lathe
• ensure personal protective equipment worn by workers did not create a risk of entanglement
• undertake a suitable risk assessment for the lathe

The company was fined £750,000.

Read more about the incident in our press release: Worker killed after becoming entangled in lathe during machining operation.

Grounds maintenance company fined after employee killed operating ride-on lawnmower

A worker was killed when the ride-on lawnmower he was operating descended a steep incline and entered a village pond while cutting grass.

HSE’s investigation found:

• no suitable site-specific risk assessment had been carried out for the work being undertaken
• the mower’s safety-critical roll-over protection system (ROPS) had been removed prior to the incident

The company was fined £27,000.

Read more about the incident in our press release: Worker killed when ride-on lawnmower entered village pond during grass cutting.

Construction company fined after worker seriously injured in fall

A worker sustained multiple serious injuries when he fell over 5 feet from a stepladder during renovation works.

HSE’s investigation found:

• the company had failed to implement a safe system of work for working at height during construction of a staircase
• wider failings in the management of work at height on site, including inadequate edge protection, incorrectly assembled tower scaffolds, and uncontrolled use of ladders
• the company had previously been served with a Prohibition Notice for unsafe work at height

The company was fined £24,000.

Read more about the incident in our press release: Worker suffered multiple serious injuries after falling from ladder during refurbishment project.

Man handed suspended sentence after illegal boiler replacement risks carbon monoxide leak

A man carried out dangerous and illegal gas work on a property which could have resulted in carbon monoxide poisoning. The work involved relocating a gas boiler and flue, but the flue was not sealed or correctly positioned.

HSE’s investigation found the man:

• had no training in gas work and was not registered with the Gas Safe Register
• knew he should have been registered, as he had previously been a director of a company that had been registered

The man was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

Read more about the incident in our press release: Man handed suspended sentence after illegal boiler replacement risks carbon monoxide leak.

New to the job: health and safety

Workers have the same chance of an accident in the first 6 months at a workplace as during the rest of their working lives.

Anyone new to the workplace will be facing unfamiliar risks from the job they will be doing and from their surroundings.

We have guidance to protect those new to a job, which includes an in-depth guide to these 6 steps to protect new workers.