The fines and costs which may flow from a safety related incident can be significant, not to mention the reputational stigma which the company will suffer. We set out below examples of recent prosecutions which give a flavour of the sentences handed down following conviction. For further information on any of these cases please do not hesitate to contact  Rhys Griffiths of our  Corporate Risk Management Group.

In decreasing fine order

Suspended sentence for farming company director after elderly worker killed by bull

Injury:  

Death

Fine:

Betholt:   £133,333

Mr Holt:   Sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months

Company:

Director:

Betholt   Ltd

Mark Holt

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1)(a)   of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Costs:

£19,421   (Betholt)

£10,073   (Mr Holt)

Source:  

HSE, 29   January 2015

 

Care home owner in court over death of vulnerable resident

Injury:  

Death

Fine:

£100,000

Company:

Western   Park Leicester Ltd

Legislation:

Section   3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£35,000

Source:  

HSE, 23   January 2015

 

Company in court after worker is struck by washing machine

Injury:  

Fractures   to three vertebrae and a broken rib

Fine:

£100,000

Company:

Environcom   England Ltd

Legislation:

Sections   2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£16,286

Source:  

HSE, 2   February 2015

 

JCB fined after worker crushed

Injury:  

Fractured   ten ribs; damaged the bones at the base of spine, and injured bladder and   kidney

Fine:

£25,000

Company:

JC   Bamford Excavators Ltd

Legislation:

Section   3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1)(b) of   the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Costs:

£1,390

Source:  

HSE, 14   January 2015

 

Gardening firm in court over employee's burns

Injury:  

Burns to   worker's face, throat, body, arms and hands

Fine:

£23,000

Company:

Greenstripe   Ltd

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£9,682

Source:  

HSE, 30   January 2015

 

Worker's injuries land brewery in court

Injury:  

Broken   foot

Fine:

£20,000

Company:

Wye   Valley Brewery Limited

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Regulation   3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Costs:

£9,632

Source:  

HSE, 20   January 2015

 

Furniture company prosecuted over worker's injury

Injury:  

Multiple   finger fractures and dislocations

Fine:

£20,000

Company:

Belvoir   Associates Ltd

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£4,449

Source:  

HSE, 26   January 2015

 

Dorset businesses fined for safety failings

Injury:  

Fractured   back and two fractured ribs

Fines:

£14,000   (for New Earth)

£16,000   (for NEAT)

Companies:

New Earth   Solutions Group Ltd

NEAT   Technology Group Ltd

Legislation:

Section   3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£1,241   for each company

Source:  

HSE, 30   January 2015

 

Theme park fined after birthday boy breaks leg on ride

Injury:  

Broken   leg

Fine:

£13,500

Company:

BB &   B Leisure Parks Ltd

Legislation:

Section   3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£30,000

Source:  

HSE, 2   February 2015

 

Paper company in court after worker crushed by reel of paper

Injury:  

Double   fracture to pelvis, as well as internal injuries

Fine:

£ 13,500

Company:

Aspenlink   Ltd

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£1,200

Source:  

HSE, 15   January 2015

 

Firm in court after worker loses arm

Injury:  

Severed   right arm

Fine:

£10,000

Company:

Stagecraft   Display Ltd

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£11,865

Source:  

HSE, 21   January 2015

 

Gateshead firm fined after roof blown off in high winds

Injury:  

None;   fine for putting lives at risk

Fine:

£10,000

Company:

Pyeroy   Limited

Legislation:

Section   3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£1.045.50

Source:  

HSE, 28   January 2015

 

Firm fined after worker suffers severe burns

Injury:  

Severe   burns to the back of both wrists and a first degree burn to the inside of   right forearm

Fine:

£10,000

Company:

SGL   Carbon Fibers Ltd

Legislation:

Section   2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

n/a

Source:  

HSE, 15   January 2015

 

Businessman fined for asbestos failure in Colwyn Bay

Injury:  

None;   fine for not using licensed contractors for asbestos removal

Fine:

£8,000

Individual:

Peter   Rees

Legislation:

Section   3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£7,400

Source:  

HSE, 21   January 2015

 

Vet  in court over X-ray of employee's foot

Injury:  

None;   breach of radiation regulations

Fine:

None   reported

Individual:

John   Kenward

Legislation:

Section   37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Costs:

£1,296

Source:  

HSE, 23   January 2015

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