The firm admitted breaching health and safety regulations at the major hazard site when release of up 163 tonnes of LPG leaked into the atmosphere at the Calor Gas terminal on Canvey Island.

Calor Gas Ltd of Tachbrook Park in Warwick, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court and was also ordered to pay £27,185 costs.

The leak happened while a ship was unloading gas to the site early on 27 October 2008. The gas, which is stored in a liquid form, escaped from a pipe when an over-pressure safety device operated. The liquid evaporated on contact with the ground, forming a vapour cloud above the site.

LPG quickly forms an extremely flammable and explosive vapour when released into the atmosphere. In its vapour form, LPG can have a volume of up to 250 times that of its liquid form and can cause asphyxiation. If ignited, it can result in a serious explosion and fire.

Due to the large quantities of LPG stored at the site, the site is subject to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999.

A sensor, which is designed to detect leaks of LPG, raise the alarm and shut the emergency valves, failed to operate – allowing the release to continue unchecked.

Even when an employee eventually discovered the leak, no site emergency alarms were sounded. The company also failed to report the incident to HSE forthwith.

HSE’s investigation into the incident found that Calor Gas Ltd had failed to provide effective measures to prevent the leak, and had failed to respond properly to the emergency when the incident occurred – including reporting to the HSE in good time.

HSE Inspector John Hawkins said:

“This site is specifically designated as a major hazard site, and that means that the correct management of risk is absolutely essential.

The leak could have been minimised had the sensor operated as intended. It was fortunate that the incident did not escalate further, since no emergency alarm sounded.

This case illustrates how important it is for companies to maintain effective measures to control risks from LPG. It is vital that LPG sensors are effectively maintained and in working order, and that there is an appropriate emergency response in place at all times.”

Peter Hornsby, HSE Head of Chemical Industries, Eastern Region, added:

“As was said in court, this could have had the potential of becoming a catastrophic event. HSE will not hesitate to prosecute companies who fail to provide security to their staff and the public through neglecting health and safety procedures.”

Calor Gas Ltd admitted breaching Regulation 4 of Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 1999 and Regulation 3(1) (e) Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995.

Notes to editors

1. Regulation 4 of COMAH Regulations 1999 states: “Every operator shall take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences to persons and the environment.”
2. Regulation 3(1)(e) RIDDOR 1995 states: “Where there is a dangerous occurrence, the responsible person shall -
   1. forthwith notify the relevant enforcing authority thereof by the quickest practicable means; and
   2. within 10 days send a report thereof to the relevant enforcing authority on a form approved for the purposes of this sub-paragraph, unless within that period he makes a report thereof to the Executive by some other means approved.”

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

All Metal Services Limited (AMS) was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at the company’s warehouse on the Wingates Industrial Park in Westhoughton on 8 September 2008.

The 54-year-old broke three toes, fractured several bones in his foot, and suffered extensive skin, muscle and tissue damage. He still has difficulty walking more than eighteen months after the incident.

Manchester Crown Court heard that items of stock had been left in the aisle, narrowing the route for the truck, and that there was not a separate walkway for pedestrians.

HSE Principal Inspector Alex Farnhill said:

“Derek Baxter has been left with a badly damaged right leg as a result of AMS’s poor health and safety procedures. He had to take sixteen months off work and still has a swollen foot which makes it difficult for him to walk.

“The company has an annual turnover of more than $180 million with bases in the UK, France and China. Any organisation that size can easily afford to spend time and money on basic health and safety.”

AMS, which supplies raw materials to the aerospace and defence industries, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 by failing to provide a separate walkway for pedestrians.

The company, which has its headquarters on Horton Industrial Estate in West Drayton, Greater London, was ordered to pay £4,230 towards the cost of the prosecution in addition to the fine at Manchester Crown Court on 16 April 2010.

Alex Farnhill added:

“Measures should have been taken to ensure vehicles and pedestrians were effectively separated in the warehouse so they could both circulate in a safe manner.

“I hope this incident will act as a warning to AMS, and encourage other manufacturers to think more about the potential dangers of vehicles in factories and warehouses.”

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out checks at 45 construction sites in the county during two days of intensive inspections.

They issued a total of 14 enforcement notices at 12 sites on 18 and 19 March, either stopping work immediately or requiring improvements to be made. The majority of the notices covered unsafe work being carried out at height.

HSE advisers also met more than 200 contractors in Cockermouth, where many homes and businesses are now being refurbished following the November floods.

Mark Cottriall, HSE’s Principal Inspector for Construction in Cumbria, said:

“The majority of the construction sites our inspectors visited had good health and safety procedures in place. But the other 12 sites are letting the rest of the industry down and putting workers’ lives at risk.

“We will continue to make unannounced visits to sites, and take enforcement action when necessary, until the message gets across. It simply isn’t worth taking risks to try and save money.

“HSE staff were also on hand in Cockermouth to give advice and support to construction workers following the recent floods. I hope it will lead to the refurbishment projects being completed without injury.”

Newly released figures from HSE show there were 120 serious injuries on construction sites in Cumbria last year. The intensive inspections took place as part of a month-long initiative aimed at stopping dangerous practices on building sites across Great Britain.

The safety event in Cockermouth was organised as part of the Working Well Together initiative – a partnership between HSE and the construction industry – which aims to improve health and safety in the sector.

HSE wants to raise awareness of construction site risks to prevent deaths and injuries in the future. Construction is one of Britain’s most dangerous industries, with five deaths and 1,339 serious injuries in the North West during 2008/9.

The national inspection initiative is focusing on refurbishment, including roofing work. Inspectors are making unannounced visits to ensure that sites are managing refurbishment work, including work at height, safely a~d that sites are in good order.

Last year, inspectors visited 274 sites across the North West and issued 97 enforcement notices during a similar month-long initiative.

Notes to editors

1. The following table lists the number of serious injuries in each local authority area in Cumbria during 2008/9. Three day injuries refer to injuries which required workers to take at least three days off work.
   

   Local authority area	Major injuries	3-day injuries
   Allerdale	7	14
   Barrow-in-Furness	7	12
   Carlisle	6	14
   Copeland	5	9
   Eden	7	13
   South Lakeland	13	13
   Cumbria	45	75

2. During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors will be looking at whether:
   • Jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place;
   • Equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly;
   • Sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls;
   • Walkways and stairs are free from obstructions; and
   • Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste.
3. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction sector in Great Britain, with more than five incidents recorded every day.
4. Simple mistakes shatter lives. Information on how to avoid slips, trips and falls from height in the construction industry is available at www.hse.gov.uk.
5. Further information on the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 www.hse.gov.uk.
6. Further information on falls and trips in the construction industry www.hse.gov.uk.

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

Mahmud Bulbulia, of Thornhill Street, Dewsbury, was also ordered to pay £250 in costs after pleading guilty to two safety breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and one breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday (19 March).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Mr Bulbulia after he failed to have the cooker and boiler regularly checked and certified by a registered Gas Safe engineer at his rented property in Stonefield Street, Dewsbury.

Magistrates heard that Mr Bulbulia had already been served with an Improvement Notice in August 2008, requiring him to carry out annual safety checks on his gas appliances.

However by August 2009 Mr Bulbulia still hadn’t carried out safety checks on the gas appliances, potentially exposing his tenant to carbon monoxide poisoning and other risks, such as a gas explosion.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Kirsty Townend said:

“Uncertified gas appliances can kill, and it’s completely unacceptable that Mr Bulbulia chose to put others at serious risk – especially when he had already been warned and served with an Improvement Notice.

“Landlords are legally required to ensure gas appliances at properties they own are checked and certified at least once a year to ensure they are working properly and safely and to protect their tenants.

Gas engineers undertaking gas work must be registered with the Gas Safe Register, a HSE approved body. For more information, or to check registered gas engineers in your area go to www.gassaferegister.co.uk ^[1].

Notes to editors

1. Further information on gas safety can be found at HSE’s website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm^[2]
2. Section 33 (1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that: “It is an offence for a person to contravene any requirement or prohibition imposed by an improvement notice or a prohibition notice (including any such notice as modified on appeal).”
3. Regulation 36 (3)(a) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: “Without prejudice a landlord shall – (a) ensure that each appliance and flue to which that duty extends is checked for safety within 12 months of being installed and at intervals of not more than 12 months since it was last checked for safety (whether such check was made pursuant to these Regulations or not).”
4. Regulation 36 (3)(c) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: “A Land Lord should ensure that a record in respect of any appliance or flue so checked is made and retained for a period of 2 years from the date of that check.

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

Priority Safety Systems are curently working alongside Purpose Media (uk) Ltd to develop an online DSE Assessment application.  The facility will be available for all businesses, large and small and aims to provide an effective and user friendly online tool to assist you to meet your DSE assessment needs.

Features will include a training package to ensure that your staff are aware of the ergonomic risks associated with using display screen equipment together with an assessment tool to evaluate your staff and inform you about potential risks to staff and ultimately your organisation.

For more information or to discuss your DSE needs please email gary.eastham@prioritysafety.co.uk or admin@prioritysafety.co.uk

Also look out for DSE BOD a child focused training program for schools and colleges.  This training application aims to teach children about the risks associated with poor posture and exessive DSE use and could be a key tool used it schools in the future.

Vickers Construction Limited, of Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, was today (8 March) also ordered to pay costs of £3,178.10 at Darlington Magistrates’ Court after it pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc act 1974.

The court heard how on 25 November 2008, an excavator was being used to dig a trench for drainage pipes on a sloping bank at the Allanbrae site, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Construction worker, John Taylor, 44 of Thornaby was laying pipes when the trench wall collapsed. Mr Taylor was trapped from the waist down for more than two hours and also suffered bruising to his legs.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) showed that the driver of the excavator had not received suitable training in its use.

After the case, HSE Inspector Dr Dave Shallow, said:

“Trench collapses are a well-known cause of serious injuries and deaths in the construction industry and this incident could have easily been avoided.

“The employee using the excavator should have been properly trained and industry guidance, which recommends providing shoring or trench boxes, should have been followed.

“Companies need to recognise the dangers of excavations and ensure safe systems of work are in place before workers enter excavations.”

Notes to Editors:

1. HSE is Britain’s national regulator for workplace safety and health. It aims to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace
2. Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
3. The court also ordered Vickers Construction Limited to pay a separate [£15] victim surcharge, the

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

Tanfield Metal Spinners Limited, of Parsons Industrial Estate, Washington, was also ordered to pay costs of £1,056 at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Friday (26 February) after pleading guilty to breaching the Power and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The court heard that on 10 September 2008, a worker was resetting the gear cog on the drive machinery of a metal spinning machine. The company had known for some time that the gears had been slipping out of place on regular basis.

The guard, which had been provided to prevent access to the dangerous parts of machinery, had been removed. The worker’s gloved hand was drawn into the gears which resulted in amputation of one of his fingers and serious injury to another.

After the case, HSE Inspector Dr Dave Shallow, said:

“This company put its workers at risk by expecting them to operate a defective piece of equipment.

“This incident that should never have happened. The company knew there had been problems with the machine’s gears and should have taken proper measures to ensure it was maintained.

“They should also have ensure that a guard was in place at all times to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine.”

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) handed out 69 enforcement notices in Merseyside in the first ten months of 2009 covering unsafe work at height, compared to 30 during the same period in 2008.

Falls from height are the biggest single cause of workplace deaths in the UK. During 2008/9, 112 workers in Merseyside suffered major injuries from a fall and another 174 had to take at least three days off to recover.

More than 400 roofers across Merseyside are now being contacted and asked to attend a safety awareness event in Wallasey on 23 February, or risk an unannounced visit from an inspector.

HSE has also released photos showing some of the unsafe work spotted by inspectors. One photo shows a man balancing on a sloping house roof in Neston while he hoses it down. Another shows a worker crouched on the roof of a semi-detached house in Woolton, about to lift up a stack of tiles.

Neil Jamieson, a Principal Inspector for HSE in the North West, said:

“We’re worried that some roofing companies in Merseyside are trying to cut down on costs and undercut each other by not using scaffolding and other safety equipment.

“Falls from height kill dozens of workers every year and seriously injure hundreds more. But the number of deaths will carry on rising if firms don’t accept they’re putting their workers in danger.

“We will continue to take action against companies that do not take the safety of their workers seriously, and will prosecute those that fail to provide the necessary scaffolding.

“It simply isn’t worth companies trying to cut costs if lives are going to be put at risk. And it will cost them time and money in the long run if we decide to take legal action.”

More information on preventing slips, trips and falls is available at www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives^[3].

Notes to editors

1. During the first ten months of 2009, HSE issued 8 enforcement notices in Knowsley covering breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, 29 in Liverpool, 13 in Sefton, 10 in St Helens and 9 in Wirral. During the same period in 2008, it issued 2 in Knowsley, 15 in Liverpool, 6 in Sefton, 5 in St Helens and 2 in Wirral. More details are available at www.hse.gov.uk/notices^[4].
2. HSE issues enforcement notices when it finds serious breaches of health and safety regulations. There are two types of notices – improvement and prohibition – which require changes to be made within a set timescale or stop work from taking place until improvements have been made.
3. The following table lists the number of serious injuries involving falls from height in each local authority area in Merseyside during 2008/9. Three-day injuries refer to injuries which required workers to take at least three days off work.

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today (8 February) successfully prosecuted Charles Painting (UK) Ltd of Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, over the incident on the 20 June 2007.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching 9 (2) the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Sheffield Magistrates Court and as well as the £2,000 fine, was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

The court heard that employee John Henderson, suffered multiple fractures to his legs and arm when he fell through a fragile roof surface which has seriously changed his life. The fall happened while Mr Henderson was preparing to clean roof lights at Beeley Fabrications, Claywheels Lane, in Sheffield. He was pulling water pipes across the roof in preparation to clean, when he fell seven metres through a roof light onto the workshop floor.

The HSE investigation found that there were no working platforms, guardrails, scaffold or sufficient means of protection provided on the roof or underneath to prevent the fall.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Alison Crank said: “There were no precautions in place at the time to prevent a fall through the fragile roof or from the roof edge and as a result Mr Henderson sustained long-term serious injury.

“Figures show that falls from height are a major cause of deaths at work in the UK, with more than 4,000 employees suffering a major injury as a result of a fall from height in 2008/09. HSE is determined to raise as much awareness as possible to the hazards and risks of working at height so that employers can take sufficient steps to minimise the serious consequences of a fall.

Source – www.hse.gov.uk

Every year 15 to 20 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the UK and 234 suffered major injuries last year alone. The Health and Safety Executive is launching a new campaign in the South West to make parents, landlords and students aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Plymouth-based HSE Inspector, Helena Allum, said: “Carbon monoxide is a silent, odourless but deadly killer and the simple processing of fitting an audible alarm could save lives.

“We want students to make sure they’re safe when living in digs by ensuring alarms are fitted.

“If you are living in rented accommodation your landlord has a duty to have any gas appliance that they own regularly serviced by a Gas Safe Register engineer and issue you with a copy of the gas safety certificate following the annual safety check. Contact HSE if your landlord does not, on request, provide you with a copy of the certificate.”

Dave Worswick, whose 15-year-old daughter, Mary Ann, died of CO poisoning while visiting a friend’s house, is also backing the campaign.

“If parents do care for the welfare of their children when they move into rented accommodation they should make sure they or their children see a copy of the property’s gas safety certificate and make sure there is an alarm. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind which could save a life.”

In addition to a hard-hitting poster and leaflet campaign on Devon and Cornwall’s main campus sites, the HSE are also working with university accommodation offices, landlord organisations and student unions to make sure students pick-up the CO message.

Helena Allum added: “The six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness and these could easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness.

“If you feel these symptoms you should seek medical advice from your GP or a hospital accident and emergency department straightaway.

“Landlords should provide an annual Gas Safety Record for all appliances and you should ensure your landlord uses a Gas Safe Registered engineer to do any gas work in your home.”

Marian Hayes, University of Plymouth Student Accommodation Manager, said: “The University of Plymouth is pleased to be supporting this campaign. All private landlords on the university registered lists have to produce annual Gas Safety Certificates and we would encourage all our students living in private accommodation to be aware of how to safeguard themselves and their housemates.”

The HSE also advises:

- Never use a gas appliance if you think it is not working properly. Danger signs include a flickering yellow or orange flame, sooting around your fire or boiler or the pilot light keeps going out.

- Do not be tempted to use the cooker to supplement your heating. Cookers are not designed for that purpose and several tragic accidents have arisen from such misuse.

Peter Eldridge, chief executive of Gas Safe Register, who supports the campaign, said: “Students often don’t know if the gas appliances in their accommodation are safe to use or not, and this makes them particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Legally, landlords must make sure gas appliances in rental properties are safe, and give their student renters a copy of the gas safety certificate to prove it. As an added measure, it’s good practice to fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm too. But, if students know this, and the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide to look out for, it could save their lives.”

As part of the campaign, British Gas are giving away 200 CO detectors free-of-charge to students through the HSE.

Notes to editors

What is carbon monoxide – why is it a problem?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use. It is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess CO is produced, which is poisonous.When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs.

You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill quickly without warning. According to the HSE statistics around 20 people die from CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long period. In extreme cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of prolonged exposure to CO. Increasing public understanding of the risks of CO poisoning and taking sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this risk.

What preventative measures can I take against carbon monoxide exposure?

• Ensure that any work carried out in relation to gas appliances in domestic or commercial premises is to be undertaken by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, competent in that area of work.
• HSE strongly advises that gas appliances and/or flues are installed and serviced regularly for safety by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. If you live in tenanted accommodation, your landlord has a legal duty to carry out an annual gas safety check and maintain gas appliances. They must provide you with a copy of the completed gas safety check certificate.
• Always make sure there is enough fresh air in the room containing your gas appliance. If you have a chimney or a flue, ensure it is not blocked up and also ensure that vents are not covered.
• If you plan to install a gas fire in a bedroom, use a Gas Safe Registered engineer; do not use unflued appliances like paraffin heaters and cabinet heaters.
• Get your chimney swept from top to bottom at least once a year by a qualified sweep.
• If you have appliances that use other fossil fuels, make sure they are serviced and maintained by a competent person. For information on competent persons’ schemes, visit the Communities and Local Government website.

Does HSE recommend the use of carbon monoxide alarms?

HSE strongly recommends the use of audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as a useful back-up precaution but they must not be regarded as a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.

You can be particularly at risk from CO poisoning when you are asleep, because you may not be aware of early CO symptoms until it is too late. Having an audible CO alarm could wake you and save your life.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. Symptoms to look out for include:

• tiredness
• drowsiness
• headaches
• giddiness
• nausea
• vomiting
• pains in the chest
• breathlessness
• stomach pains
• erratic behavior
• visual problems

For more information visit NHS direct ^[8] or telephone 0845 4647.

If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved, you must seek urgent medical advice from either your GP or an accident and emergency department. You should ask for a blood or breath test to confirm the presence of CO. Be aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.

How do I know if I am at risk from carbon monoxide?

Although carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, signs that indicate incomplete combustion is occurring, resulting in the production of CO, include:

• Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (apart from fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame)
• Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out
• Increased condensation inside windows

What should I do if I think my appliance is spilling carbon monoxide?

• Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until remedial action has been taken
• Shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is). If gas continues to escape call National Grid on the Gas Emergency Freephone Number 0800 111 999
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room – do not sleep in it
• Visit your GP urgently and tell him/her that you believe your symptoms may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample
• Contact a Gas Safe Registered engineer

Source – www.hse.gov.uk