Collapse of Scaffolding Seriously Injures Nottingham Worker
A scaffolding company which is based in Kirkby in Ashfield has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety executive. They were found to be responsible for a collapse of the scaffolding in Nottingham which injured a local roofer. The roofing contractor had to take four months off work while he recovered from his injuries.
The contractor aged 48 fell off the scaffolding landing six metres below. In the fall he suffered painful injuries as his pelvis was fractured in four different places. The scaffold which collapsed was put in place for David Knowles in 2009. The accident caused an investigation from the Health and Safety Executive to see why it occurred and if it could be avoided.
The Health and Safety Executive discovered that the scaffolding was not erected correctly. A non-competent person had failed to build the scaffold according to the standard configuration and there were places where it had been incorrectly tied. Mr Knowles therefore was prosecuted by the HSE as he had not made sure that health and safety had been maintained to protect the people who were not employed by home.
Use Services to Make Sure You are Up to Scratch
Health and Safety services are able to help avoid situations like these. It is important to know your legal position when it comes to safeguarding the health and safety on site or in the workplace. Scaffolding is extremely dangerous and it is essential that the right policies are in place and that the correct procedures are followed at all times.
Health and Safety Consultants are able to assist construction workers with training and with planning when it comes to carrying out any job on site. As a result of poor management David Knowles ended up pleading guilty to the charges brought against him. For breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, section 3(1) he was fined £5000 and also a further £3944 in charges by the Nottingham Magistrates Court.
A Preventable Accident
Mr Knowles could have prevented the accident by making sure that a competent person had erected the scaffolding. Health and Safety services which are designed to assist the construction industry can be lifesaving and also help to protect you should an accident occur. It is vital that you ensure all your workers are trained for the work that they are responsible for.
To contact the health and safety consultants all you need to do is call 0800 1488 677 for more information. There is a wide range of services for this extremely dangerous industry. You can ask for a complete health and safety audit to discover any areas of weakness and learn ways to change in order to make sure you are operating legally and safely. The experts at Veritas Consulting are able to help by offering:
- Health and Safety Training courses
- Health and Safety Audit
- Competent Person Service
- Document Writing
- CSCS Card Test
- Construction Phase Plan
- CHAS Registration
- Health and Safety File, and more.
Talk to your personal health and safety advisor to see how you can benefit from these health and safety services.
£150,000 fine after Worker has head crushed by reversing lorry
Simon Mason was working late at night at a parcel firm in West Horndon in Essex. After watching the lorry enter the depot he noticed that the driver had not lined up straight so decided to help the driver by signalling to him. As he put his head out to shout to the driver the lorry began to reverse. Mr Mason had his skull crushed and suffered some very serious injuries.
Health and safety consultants know that there are so many dangers in the workplace and that every eventuality needs to be planned for. This is performed through many different health and safety services such as providing complete training, helping with reporting and producing risk assessments and many other services offered by companies such as Veritas.
Worker Required Hours of Surgery and Constant Care
In this case the investigation that occurred following Mr Masons accident showed that there was a lack of assessments carried out by Tufnells Parcels Express ltd. The movement of vehicles was not controlled and there was no risk management in place to prevent accidents and to keep employees safe.
Mr Mason survived however he did need to go into surgery on several occasions and although he has returned to work he still has some side effects even after months of round the clock care. The effects of his accident are long term and he has suffered due to the failings of the company he worked for.
If Tufnells Parcels Express had created a safe and consistent method of working in their depot the accident may never have happened. If you own a company and are unsure of your duties regarding health and safety laws and regulations you should constant health and safety services for assistance. In this case the inspectors working on the case discovered that Mr Mason was working in an unsafe environment and the company had failed him and the other workers in the depot by putting their lives at risk.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard about the accident and the discoveries made by the Health and Safety Executive. The company pleaded guilty so the judge gave them a fine of £150,000 and an additional £19,000 in costs.
Risks Must Be Managed To Prevent Accidents in the Workplace
Veritas are health and safety consultants who provide services to prevent accidents and deaths in the workplace and on construction sites. Vehicles can cause many problems and so their needs to be a high level of attention and risk assessments carried out to keep employees and the public safe.
A health and safety inspector spoke about the high risks involved with vehicle management after the court case in Chelmsford. It was the duty of the senior management to manage the risks and as they failed to do so a young man was left with awful injuries which could have easily resulted in the loss of life.
To prevent accidents to your employees or the public contact the health and safety consultants. Call 0800 1488 677 to hear more about the health and safety services available
Introducing our ‘Competent Person Service’ – an essential service for all employers
As you may know, the ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999’ requires all employers to appoint one or more ‘Competent Persons‘ to provide knowledgeable assistance with health and safety.
When you appoint Veritas Consulting as your business competent person, you will be receiving one of the most comprehensive and experienced health and safety services available.
It’s a legal requirement, so you don’t want to be paying more than you need to. Our competent person service is very affordable for businesses of all sizes with a low monthly fee. At the same time, the health and safety procedures are vital to avoid legal troubles and protect your employees, so you will receive advice and assistance from highly experienced health and safety professionals, including:
- A health and safety policy review
- 4 flexible office visitors throughout the year – e.g quarterly reviews
- Unlimited health and safety advice via telephone and E-mail
- A designated health and safety professional from Veritas Consulting to act as your competent person and handle all your health and safety requirements
- Plus much more.
Do you currently have a competent person in place? Click here to find out how much you could save and how much more health & safety assistance you could receive by switching to us.
If you’re looking to appoint a competent person, click here to see how you will get some of the most expert health and safety help available for an affordable fee.
Competent Person Service – Special offer
Competent Person service – Sign up by April 30th and receive a 25% discount
Veritas Consulting can explain in jargon-free language what health and safety is and the types of considerations necessary to ensure your business is legal and your workers are healthy and safe.
You probably know you need to do something about health and safety, but knowing what to do and what not to do can be quite puzzling at first.
We’ve kept it simple,
Why our Competent Person Service is different
We know that no two businesses are the same which is why Veritas Consulting can offer you a bespoke Competent Person Service that meets your needs AND your budget. You are not tied into a formal contract, nor minimum period, and certainly there are no hidden surprises – a simple pay as you go service.
Businesses of all shapes and sizes may take their eye of the ball with health and safety when times are tough. With Veritas Consulting highly affordable Competent Person service, you simply don’t need to!
Veritas Consulting offer superb value for money packages from as little as £55.00p/m*. The bottom line, of course, is to help our clients strengthen their health and safety responsibilities.
Get in touch Contact us today!
Digital TV Aerial Fitters Renew Competent Person Service
Northfield Aerials Digital, Freeview aerial Fitters renew their annual Competent Person Service
We are proud to announce that Birmingham Based Digital Aerial Fitters has renewed their Competent Person Service with Veritas Health and Safety Consultants.
Continually working closely with our experienced Health and Safety Consultants, Northfield Aerials have made significant progress with their Health and Safety procedures and Management.
Here are additional services which complement the Competent Person Service we have provided.
Health and Safety Policy
Writing Risk assessments
Writing Method Statements
Health and Safety Training
and more many more.
If you are in businesses there is a legal obligation placed on employers to have access to a Competent Person (Reg 7 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999). This can be from within your organisation, but advise external experienced competent Health and Safety Consultants are the best step any business can take, if you want a Competent Person Service.
Need Competent Advice? Veritas Health and Safety Consultants can help from as little as £55.00 p/m:
For a better Competent Person service, better phone us about our other Health and Safety Services 0121 249 1281
Competent Person Service
Why do you need a Competent Person?
As an employer, you must “appoint one or more competent person to assist” with health and safety – it’s the law.
So, where does it say that? well, Regulation 7 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states
“Every employer shall appoint one or more competent persons to assist him in undertaking health and safety management”
But that’s not the only reason to get safety competent advice. We know that you’re not in business to hurt people, and getting health and safety management right will help to protect your team. It also makes good business sense.
Making people ill at work, injuring or even killing them, can be costly – not just in terms of business losses, but reputation damage too. Making sure you get good advice can save you money in the long run.
(more…)
