Risk Assessment Changes
The HSE are looking at carrying out Risk Assessment Changes. They are concerned that many people see the requirement to record significant findings of a risk assessment as something separate from other things they do to manage their business.
Risk assessments should be about identifying sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace. More emphasis on controlling risk and less on written assessments but without reducing standards.
Summary of recent HSE Legislation Enforcement
A building company was fined £144,000 with costs of £43,606.15 when a worker fell 5 metres from the roof of a house in London. The fall resulted in a 3 month hospital stay from injuries including a fractured spine and an induced coma for 2 weeks. Works were carried out unsupervised and an enforcement notice was served after finding removed broken asbestos in a pile with other debris by the neighbour’s hedge.
A scaffolding business owner was sentenced to 4 months in prison suspended for 2 years. His partner (son) was sentenced to an 8 month prison sentence suspended for 2 years with costs of £25,661. An employee fell 7 metres to his death after dismantling scaffolding. He was stacking roofing sheets on a flat roof without edge protection and safety railing was removed so that sheets could be stacked. There was no PPE worn, e.g. harnesses. The condition of the scaffolding failed to meet current safety standards.
A Recycling company have been fined £300,000 with £8,903 in costs after failing to enforce the ‘safe stop’ process which should be followed when using dangerous machinery.
Star Wars
Finally, Star Wars film maker was fined £1.6 million with £20,861.22 costs for injuring Harrison Ford. He was knocked off his feet and pinned to the floor of the Millennium Falcon set as prop door closed on him. The HSE found there was no automatic emergency cut off instead of relying on the reaction of the prop operator to bring the door to a stop. The power and speed of the door was such that, had Mr Ford or anyone else struck on the head by the door as it closed, they might easily have been killed.
Waller Associates
In 1993 Steve Waller started Waller Building Services after training as a quantity surveyor. Waller Associates Limited was set up and Waller Building Services became a trading division within that company. In 2010, an opportunity arose that dove tailed well with the existing company structure. A long established local Glazing company went into administration which produced the need for a commercial and domestic glazing supplier in the area. Their commercial glazing manger, Paul Hayward, liked the way we operated as a company and therefore a new division was formed.
Waller Building Services
Clients include schools, local authorities and private customers. Our building services consist of smaller refurbishments through to extensions and new builds.
Waller Glazing Services
Our glazing projects include window, door and also glass repairs. We also carry out complete window and door installations. Additionally you can see examples of our glazing works by viewing the case studies on our website.
Building on Trust….
Waller Building and Glazing Services is registered to Fensa, Chas, Constructionline and Safecontractor. We are also approved by Kent County Council. Waller Associates is a company that you can trust. We would be happy to give you a quotation on any size of works. You can See examples of our building works by viewing the case studies on our website.
Contact Waller Building and Glazing
Based in Sittingbourne, Kent, we carry out works throughout as well as the south east of England. Consequently if you would like a quotation on any size of project, please contact us. Call 01795 424435. Additionally email mark@wallerservices.com
