The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into this tragic accident and McVities has been fined £10,000. The identity of the woman involved has still not been released.

During the investigation, HSE discovered that the female employee had to climb a two metre step ladder in order to reach the flapjack machine and empty its contents. Though the industrial sized mixer had stopped, the blades inside were still rotating when she reached in. This explains how her fingers were severed even though the machine had been turned off.

The company has pleaded guilty of breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. In addition to the £10,000 fine, McVities must also pay £2,889 in costs. The case was heard by Halifax Magistrates Court.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Rachel Brittain was quoted as saying:

“An incident like this should not happen in any company, but taking place in such a large scale food manufacturer such as this is absolutely unacceptable.

“Preventing access to moving parts and fitting guards is an elementary and essential precautionary measure and inexpensive. By not putting these measures in place United Biscuits failed to fulfill its duty of care to its employees.”

The downfall of using wooden walkways is that, of course, over time the weather will cause the boards to rot and weaken. A wooden walkway should be checked regularly for damage and replaced annually to prevent accidents from weakened boards.

Though metal walkways are heavy-duty and durable, they are challenging to install on a rooftop surface because of their weight. They can cause damage to the roof’s surface. If using a metal walkway, be sure the material is corrosion resistant and meets current safety standards.

An excellent alternative to both the wooden and metal walkway is plastic. These days plastic products can withstand a great amount of wear and tear, plus they’re lightweight and easy to install. They can be used with Top-Fix Guardrail products in case you require that extra measure of safety for your workers.

Heightsafe Systems Walkway products are made from recycled PVC-U, and are available in popular lengths and widths. You can also order a custom walkway built to your company’s specifications. All our products at Heightsafe Systems comply with current safety legislation.

Having the right rooftop walkway protects your workers whilst shielding the roof’s surface from damage. Damage to a rooftop can cost thousands of dollars, making a rooftop walkway a great investment for your company.

Check out our line of Rooftop Walkway products or call us today for a free estimate. Keeping your employees safe is our business.

That’s why it’s critical that you have a solid rescue plan in place which adheres to Health and Safety Executive BS8437:2005 -11.1.1. Once an accident does occur, your employees must work quickly to accomplish the tasks they’ve been trained to do.

Though training for falls can definitely make a difference, the average worker’s mind will retreat into a type of mental confusion for at least the first ten minutes. Those moments are truly important to the safe rescue of an employee who has fallen off a rooftop.

Workers must move quickly to rescue the fallen labourer. In order to do this, each one must know his task and carry it out quickly. Below are some tips for successful fall rescue:

• Have monthly training sessions that include fall rescue.
• Be sure to have first aid supplies handy.
• Have your rescue equipment handy and make certain your employees know of its location and usage.
• Have a plan for each individual rescue type and be sure you have this in writing.

That last tip is crucial for discharging your legal responsibilities in a conscientious manner. Remember: the safety of your employees is your primary duty and our job here at Height Safe Systems.

It is also important to choose the correct product for your project. You may need a fixed vertical ladder with a roof hatch or your ladder may need to be equipped with guardrails. You may even require something equipped with a cage. Always make certain that whatever ladders you’re using on your job site comply with the new standards, BS4211:2005.

All ladders should be constructed of corrosion-resistant materials, such as aluminum or steel. Because ladders are generally found outside, they are exposed to a wide variety of environmental influences, such as rain, snow, sleet, and humidity. Over time, this can cause rusting, which weakens the ladder.

Ladder maintenance is imperative. As workers climb up and down them each day, the vibrations from this activity can loosen bolts and screws. Without even realizing it, your ladders can suddenly become a bit rickety. Be sure to inspect the ladders on your job site each week. Check for broken welds or cracks. Make sure any loose bolts are dealt with quickly.

Thousands of injuries occur each year because of faulty ladders. Workers need to feel safe on the job. Workers who feel secure and protected are more productive. They can work each day with confidence.

There are many types of harnesses to choose from and they come in two basic categories: elasticated and non-elasticated. In those categories, you can choose from Single Tail or Twin Tail Harnesses. These are normally supplied in one point or two point attachments. A two-point harness will have a rear dorsal and front attachment, whereas a one-point will only have the rear dorsal.

Many harnesses also include underarm side support for greater comfort. This can be important when workers will be wearing them for over eight hours each day. Many also include a personal relief self-rescue step, which is sewn into the harness. Harnesses generally come in two colors: red and hi-viz orange.

Harnesses should be well constructed of the best materials. The safety of your workers depends on this. Normally a fabric call Dyneema webbing is used for this purpose. The harness should also be constructed with reinforced eyes so that when pressure is placed on the various hooks and straps, there is no tearing away.

A 200-pound worker falling from a six-story building will place a force of several times his weight on the harness, lanyard and hooks he is wearing. It is critical that each of these components does its job.

No one likes to think that an accident will happen, but being adequately equipped and prepared is the first step to a safe outcome for all involved once an accident does occur.

Authorities say that a pole from overhead scaffolding struck the man in the head killing him instantly. The deceased worker was employed by a dry-lining subcontractor. The incident occurred on Friday, August 6, 2010.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive along with Metropolitan police are investigating the incident to see if there was any negligence on the part of the construction company or the property owners.

The Lancaster Hotel is reportedly being converted into apartments. Construction has been underway for some months.

Skylight fall protection depends on the kinds of skylight you have on your roof. For instance, you have a choice of skylight covers, skylight guards, skylight screens and more. At HeightSafe Systems we can advise you on what measures will be best implemented on your premises for your workers’ protection. Not having the proper skylight covers is a direct breach of current health and safety laws, and can cost you a huge fine if an accident occurs and you haven’t taken the time to offer your workers adequate protection.

The right skylight covers will be excellent fall protection for your business and will save you money in the long-term. Our team at HeightSafe Systems are all friendly and professional, and will sit with you to answer all of your questions on your initial consultation to ensure that you aren’t left in the dark during any stage of the project.

If you don’t feel a skylight cover would suit your operation, we can instead fix railings around the perimeter of the skylight to make people aware that a skylight is there, and that it’s sectioned off for a reason. This will offer them a different, more visual kind of protection whilst still meeting nation health and safety guidelines. Contact us at HeightSafe Systems today for more information.

As eyebolts are typically situated on the exterior of a building, they are prone to heavy weathering. Over time, if you don’t keep an eye on them, they will become loose, rust over or possibly fall out. The consequences of a clinical eyebolt failing when one of your staff members is working at height don’t bear thinking about – and any accidents will be directly your fault for not keeping on top of maintenance.

We can help at HeightSafe Systems with our eyebolt testing service. On an annual basis, we will remove, examine, retag and refit your eyebolts through our certified instructors. We will then use our top-of-the-range equipment to test a range of loads and weights to ensure your eyebolts are at their optimum safety levels and each eyebolt will get its own ‘ID’, stating how safe it is and its next due date for retesting. We will then give a comprehensive safety breakdown via our test certificate.

Well-supported and secure eyebolts are essential for those who work at height. The people we will send to evaluate the condition of your fall arrest eyebolts are not only qualified and certified, but also friendly and personable, answering any questions you may have. For more information about eyebolts and other fall arrest solutions, contact us today at HeightSafe Systems.

But there are all sorts of fall arrest equipment you can utilise in your business – it’s up to you to find the right solution for the right problems. If your staff constantly have to make use of walkways for instance, there is a danger they may slip and fall over the edge. Guardrails of all shapes and sizes can help in constructing a barrier that is sturdy, safe and will withstand all weather conditions.

Ladder systems, appropriately positioned, will grant safe and secure access to roofs and other areas of height on your building, whilst for those who need access to the side of the building and need to be in a state of suspension, safety harnesses and horizontal lines will take heavy weights and offer compete protection for your employees.

But for those with fall arrest measures already implemented, regular maintenance and checks are crucial to ensure that no accidents occur and that the equipment will always perform in an optimal fashion.

As well as our huge variety of fall arrest equipment here at HeightSafe Systems, we can also offer safety line retesting, gutter maintenance and more maintenance options for you as an employer, your staff and your business. Contact us today for more information about the fall arrest we have available.

At Heightsafe Systems we can offer you gutter repair, maintenance and more at affordable rates which will save you time and money through an annual contract. Our maintenance crew are trained to the very highest standards and they’ll be able to perform your gutter maintenance with keen efficiency.  Having a streamlined service – and effectively working under only the one contract – you won’t be buried under mountains of paperwork and are ensured of a service that exceeds national standards.

Gutter maintenance is especially important for your building as any obstructions or overflow could provide serious wear and tear to the surrounding area and cause height risks for employees who are regularly stationed on the roof. Our gutter maintenance scheme can also be combined with tests for other safety systems and the various fall arrest measures we offer, and our fully qualified two-man teams will spare no expense where height safety is concerned.

Effective gutter maintenance is in everybody’s interests and we are delighted to be able to offer this service as a standalone solution for your business or in tandem with other fall arrest safety measures. As well as your duty to your employees, you have a duty of care to keep the building you work at clean and well-maintained at all times. Don’t put the gutters to the back of your mind – invest in our gutter maintenance programme.