IOSH is warning that the Government’s amended plans to scrap EU laws don’t go far enough and will continue to harm economic growth, as a new survey of its members reveals concerns about the impact on businesses and inward investment. Under proposals in the Retained EU Law Bill, health and safety standards in the UK are still in danger of being scrapped, leading to less productivity, higher insurance premiums for businesses, and increased costs for the Government.

Two directors of a Birmingham-based metal recycling business where five men were killed after a wall collapsed in 2016 have been jailed for nine months each, with combined fines of £1.6 million also handed down to the companies involved.  Wayne Hawkeswood and Graham Woodhouse and the firms they ran – Hawkeswood Metal Recycling and Ensco 10101 – known as Shredmet – were convicted in November of serious health and safety offences.

Stewart Ramsay, 24, was working at Creagh Concrete Products when the accident happened.  Creagh Concrete Products (CCP), a manufacturer based in Hoveringham, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire, has been fined £1m after a young employee sustained fatal head injuries from a metal grab that was in poor condition and shouldn’t have been in use.   

A LANDLORD has been jailed for breaching health and safety regulations after a fatal fire in an unofficially converted basement flat.  Philip Sheridan, 32, died of injuries suffered in a blaze at the property where he lived in Berkeley Grove, Harehills, Leeds.

The sister of a man killed while unloading a lorry trailer has spoken of the devastating impact her brother’s death has had on their family.  Anthony Clark, 51, from Darlington worked for GCS Johnson Limited, a trucking company based in North Yorkshire.  On 17 August 2018 the father-of-two was helping move a large piece of machinery from one trailer to another at the GCS Johnson depot at Barton Quarry industrial estate in Richmond.

Exclusive: Research comes amid evidence that driving on less than five hours’ sleep is as dangerous as drink-driving  A blood test to measure whether a driver who has caused an accident was impaired by lack of sleep could be available within two years, making it easier to legislate against drowsy drivers or their employers..

Businesses are being urged to limit the amount of alcohol served at work social events in order to prevent people from acting inappropriately towards others.  The warning from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) comes as it releases a new poll, suggesting a third of managers have seen harassment or inappropriate behaviour at parties.

The world of workplace health and safety is rapidly evolving, and businesses must adapt to comply with an increasingly stringent regulatory landscape. As tougher legislation and tightening standards are making it more important than ever for companies to prioritise the health and safety of their employees.  At the heart of this challenge lies the need for EHS strategy to be inherently flexible, and being able to adapt to an ever-changing regulatory environment. This requires a shift in mindset from reactive compliance to proactive risk management. By mitigating risks for employees, businesses can safeguard themselves against costly litigation and reputational damage.

 A Company that produces wood flooring in Somerset has been hit with a massive fine over a health and safety breach.  Wood Flooring Engineered Ltd pleaded guilty to the offence at Taunton Magistrates' Court yesterday (Wednesday, April 26).

A joinery firm in South East London has been fined £20,000 for failing to control its employees’ exposure to wood dust.  F&E Joinery Limited, in Herne Hill, was inspected in May 2022 as part of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign targeting woodworking businesses due to the significant health risks associated with exposure to wood dust, including the risk of developing occupational asthma. During the visit the inspector identified multiple failings related to control of exposure to wood dust, including excessive levels of settled dust around the site (shown in the images below).