13 Jul July

In this month’s newsletter we cover Workplace fatal injuries from the HSE and two case studies in the courts:

• £1.5 million fine for Dairy Crest after series of environmental offences – Dairy Crest, which produces brands such as Cathedral City at its Davidstow plant, previously pleaded guilty to 21 of 27 charges brought by the Environment Agency. For committing this catalogue of offences, the firm was fined £1.52 million at the crown court on 23 June 2022. It had already agreed to pay costs of £272,747. Helen Dobby, Area Director of the Environment Agency, said: “As a large and well-established operator, Dairy Crest Limited should be up to the job of maintaining the required environmental standards. Instead, it has over a period of many years failed to comply with its environmental permit and not been able to protect local people and the environment.
• Workplace Fatal Injuries in Great Britain – The most common kinds of fatal accidents to workers in 2021/22 continue as falls from a height, struck by moving vehicle, and struck by moving, including flying/falling, object. These accounted for over half of all fatal accidents to workers in 2021/22. The release of the annual figures coincides with the 50th anniversary this month of the publication of the Robens report. The landmark report led to the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974, which ultimately led to the HSE being set up the following year. Since then, Great Britain has become one of the safest places in the world to work with the number of workplace deaths and injuries falling significantly.
• Carlsberg fined £3m following ammonia gas leak – Carlsberg Supply Company UK Ltd, who were summonsed under their new company name of Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, pleaded guilty to charges under Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The company was fined £3 million with costs of £90,000. HSE Principal Inspector Samantha Wells said: “This underlines the dangers of not following industry guidance when working with toxic and flammable substances – HSE will take action against all who fail to ensure the safety of employees and others who may be exposed to danger.” “Projects involving multiple contractors require effective management arrangements, so it’s clear who is responsible for every part of the work and that safety checks are carried out before allowing work to start.”