Health & Safety Services Coventry

Workers at an engineering firm were put at risk of serious ill-health after their employer ignored repeated warnings about unsafe metalworking fluids.

Following a routine inspection, our inspectors found workers at Tracel Ltd were being exposed to metalworking fluid mist. This can cause lung disease, asthma, and dermatitis.

We served formal Improvement Notices requiring the company to carry out proper risk assessments and put controls in place.

When we returned, nothing had changed. Hazards still weren't identified. Risks weren't controlled. Fluid quality wasn't maintained.

HSE Inspector Stephen Manley: "This case was entirely avoidable had the company taken appropriate action following our inspection."

Poor management of metalworking fluids still leads to workers developing lung disease. If you use these fluids, review your arrangements now.

Read more:https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/01/13/engineering-firm-fined-27200-after-endangering-workers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

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A social housing provider has been fined £32,000 after multiple workers were diagnosed with vibration related ill-health conditions such as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

We received more than ten reports of vibration related ill-health in a short period of time.

The workers affected had until recently been employed by Nottingham City Homes Limited, an arms-length management organisation that managed social housing on behalf of Nottingham City Council between 2005 and 2023.

Our investigation found a large number of the company’s employees were exposed to vibration in their day to day work.

These included bricklayers, joiners, electricians, plasterers, caretakers and others – while their work was varied, all included extensive use of power tools, ranging from drills and impact drivers to vibrating plates and road breakers, over an extended period of time.

Despite this, and the dangers exposure can cause, the company had not properly assessed or controlled worker’s exposure to vibration.

HAVS can make everyday tasks such as fastening buttons or holding utensils difficult or impossible.

Our practical guidance helps employers protect their employees and fulfil their legal obligation to control vibration risks.

The guidance includes advice on the assessment of risk, ways to control exposure, and in-depth information about health surveillance.

You can read more about this case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/11/04/social-housing-management-firm-fined-for-failing-to-protect-workers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

On average 21 people a year are killed by moving vehicles at work, making it one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in Great Britain.

Behind each statistic is a family changed forever.

Recent prosecutions, with fines reaching £2.5 million, show the same preventable failures again and again. All of these deaths could have been prevented.

These deaths are preventable when companies:
✓ Separate pedestrians from vehicles with dedicated, barrier-protected walkways
✓ Maintain reversing aids – cameras, sensors, and alarms – as essential safety equipment
✓ Implement robust traffic management systems
✓ Empower workers to stop unsafe operations
✓ Train all drivers, including contractors and visitors

Find comprehensive guidance on preventing workplace transport incidents: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/10/23/protecting-workers-from-workplace-transport-getting-the-basics-right/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=corporate-push

A manufacturer of rolled aluminium products has been fined £300,000 after a worker was crushed under a 1.5-tonne hydraulic arm.

The man, in his 40s, was trapped for more than 20 minutes and his injuries were so serious he has been unable to return to work since.

He had been working for Bridgnorth Aluminium Limited at its site in the town when the incident happened on 10 May 2023.

Our investigation found that the arm fell as a result of hydraulic failure.

While there was a safety bar intended to prevent the arm from falling, it was not fit for purpose.

The company had not assessed the risks of the hydraulic arm falling and therefore failed to implement a suitable safe system of work to prevent employees from working beneath it.

The law requires employers to assess the risks to which their employees are exposed at work, and to implement suitable control measures to reduce the risk of harm.

You can read more about this case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/10/20/aluminium-manufacturer-fined-300000-after-worker-crushed/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

This week the waste management company Biffa Waste Services was fined almost £2.5 million after a worker was crushed to death by a reversing skip wagon.

James Tabiri, 57, was struck from behind while walking across the weighbridge at the company’s Bradford site on 10 August 2023. He died from his injuries.

Our investigation found that Biffa Waste Services Ltd failed to effectively monitor and review the safety measures in place to keep pedestrians and vehicles apart.

CCTV footage revealed unsafe practices, including people bypassing pedestrian routes and climbing over barriers.

By law, employers must ensure that traffic routes can be used safely and without putting workers at risk.

This tragic incident highlights the need for constant vigilance around workplace transport safety and the importance of supervision and monitoring to ensure safe systems are followed.

You can read more about this case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/10/17/biffa-fined-almost-2-5-million-after-worker-crushed-by-skip-wagon/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

For information on our safe working at heights courses contact us on 02477 981123

For information on our Working at Heights course contact Aaron on 02477 981123

A company and its director have been fined after a man fell from scaffolding and died.

Mr Iftikhar Ahmed Mughal, 64, died four days after falling from an unguarded platform when he was installing a shop sign in Darwen, Lancashire.

The fall of just six feet proved fatal due to serious head injuries.

His son Asad said: "My father was like a roof to the family, and since his death, I and my siblings have felt alone. He always supported us in everything we did."

Our investigation found that WH Metals Limited failed to prevent the risk of a fall from the unguarded platform.

HSE Inspector David Hobbs said: "Work at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death.

"In this case, a fall of six feet was enough to cause a death, highlighting the dangers."

Simple guardrails around the platform could have prevented this tragedy. HSE guidance on working at height is available on our website.

Read the full story here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/09/24/sign-fitting-company-and-director-fined-after-fatal-fall-from-scaffolding/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

For further information and to book your Asbestos Awareness Training contact us on 02477981123.

If you’re planning to make your home more energy efficient this year, be aware that you could come across asbestos-containing materials in older properties.

Loft or attic spaces can be home to old circuit boards, pipes, boilers, water tanks and insulation that contain asbestos fibres.

Find out more about the Asbestos & You campaign:

https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/asbestos-you/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=asbestos-trades