The fines and costs which may flow from a safety related incident can be significant, not to mention the reputational stigma which the company will suffer. We set out below examples of recent prosecutions which give a flavour of the sentences handed down following conviction. For further information on any of these cases please do not hesitate to contact Rhys Griffiths of our Corporate Risk Management Group.
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Injury: |
Workers exposed to high levels of gamma radiation |
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Fine: |
£200,000 |
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Company: |
Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 11 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 and Regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 |
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Costs: |
£176,500 |
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Source: |
HSE, 29 September 2014 |
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Injury: |
Death |
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Fine: |
£200,000 |
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Company: |
SW Global Resourcing Limited |
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Legislation: |
Sections 2 and 33(1) (a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
n/a |
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Source: |
COPFS, 16 September 2014 |
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Construction company fined £100,000 after worker run-over by nine tonne truck |
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Injury: |
Life changing injuries, including severe brain injury |
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Fine: |
£100,000 |
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Company: |
JB Leadbitter and Co Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£100,000 |
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Source: |
HSE, 19 September 2014 |
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Injury: |
Worker's leg bone shattered |
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Fine: |
£80,000 |
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Company: |
BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Munitions Limited |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£100,000 |
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Source: |
HSE, 19 September 2014 |
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Firm in court after major petrol escape at Staffordshire fuel site |
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Injury: |
None; petrol leak posed major hazards |
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Fine: |
£30,000 |
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Company: |
British Pipeline Agency Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£58,606 |
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Source: |
HSE, 29 September 2014 |
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Injury: |
Serious injuries including four broken ribs, a punctured lung, a cut to the liver, a fractured right eye socket, fractures to his face and a broken pelvis |
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Fine: |
£15,000 |
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Company: |
Manchester City Council |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£3,830 |
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Source: |
HSE, 24 September 2014 |
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Residents' lives put at risk by gas faults in 349 properties |
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Injury: |
None; lives put at risk |
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Fine: |
£10,000 (for DSI) 2 years conditional discharge for individuals |
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Company: Individuals: |
DSI Plumbing and Heating Ltd Robert Percival and Andrew Church |
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Legislation: |
Section 3(1), 3(2) and 33(1)(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£1,000 (for DSI) £250 (each for individuals) |
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Source: |
HSE, 22 September 2014 |
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Injury: |
Multiple fractures to vertebrae and ribs and a cut to head |
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Fine: |
£10,000 |
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Company: |
Penkiln Sawmill Company Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
n/a |
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Source: |
HSE, 23 September 2014 |
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Company prosecuted after worker suffers back injury in fork lift fall |
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Injury: |
Fractured a vertebra in back |
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Fine: |
£8,000 |
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Company: |
Linde Creighton Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£1,144 |
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Source: |
HSE, 23 September 2014 |
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Injury: |
Serious crush injuries, resulted in worker having spleen and most of pancreas removed |
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Fine: |
£6,600 |
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Company: |
RVC Engineering Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£1,087 |
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Source: |
HSE, 25 September 2014 |
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Injury: |
Severed thumb |
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Fine: |
£6,000 |
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Employer: |
David Helley |
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Legislation: |
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£1,514 |
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Source: |
HSE, 18 September 2014 |
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Elderly woman died after suffering burns in nursing home bath |
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Injury: |
Death |
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Fine: |
£5,000 |
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Company: |
Greencroft Care Ltd (in liquidation) |
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Legislation: |
Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
n/a |
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Source: |
HSE, 25 September 2014 |
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Solar panel installer in court after workers' fall through roof |
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|
Injury: |
Fracture to back and sternum |
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Fine: |
£4,500 |
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Individual: |
Andrew Green |
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Legislation: |
Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
£1,500 |
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Source: |
HSE, 16 September 2014 |
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Construction firm sentenced after barrier fell on baby's pram |
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Injury: |
Bruising to forehead of 18 week old baby |
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Fine: |
£4,000 |
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Company: |
Kier Construction Ltd |
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Legislation: |
Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
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Costs: |
n/a |
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Source: |
HSE, 23 September 2014 |
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
