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.

Recycling giant fined for worker death failings

Injury:

Death

Fine:

£300,000

Company:

European Metal Recycling Limited

Legislation:

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

Costs:

£72,901

Source:

HSE, 20 May 2013

BAE Systems sentenced for death of worker

Injury:

Death

Fine:

£250,000

Company:

BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd

Legislation:

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

Costs:

 £97,153

Source:

HSE, 21 May 2013

Companies and director sentenced after worker's fatal fall

Injury:

Death

Fine:

£130,000 (Carillion)
£85 (Febrey – in liquidation - had it still been solvent and able to pay would have been fined in the region of £250,000)
£20,000 (Mr Febrey)

Company:

Carillion Construction Ltd
Febrey Ltd
Director: Michael Febrey

Legislation:

Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (Carillion and Febrey Ltd
Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (Mr Febrey)

Costs:

£52,500 (Carillion)
£5,000 (Mr Febrey)

Source:

HSE, 13 May 2013

Collective failures led to death of worker

Injury:

Death

Fine:

Mr Turnbull: No fine - sentenced to three years in prison
NEMOC: £1 for each offence – company now in liquidation
Mr Taylor: £30,000 (£15,000 for each offence)
Subcontractor:

Allan Turnbull

Company:

North Eastern Maritime Offshore Cluster Ltd
Director: Christopher William Taylor

Legislation:

Sections 2(1) and 3(1) by virtue of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (Mr Turnbull and Mr Taylor)
Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. (NEMOC)

Costs:

 Mr Taylor: £50,000

Source:

HSE, 21 May 2013

Derbyshire food company prosecuted after worker severs fingertip

Injury:

Severed tip of finger

Fine:

£16,000

Company:

Loscoe Chilled Foods Limited

Legislation:

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Costs:

 £16,192

Source:

 HSE, 8 May 2013

Firm in court after worker's life-changing injuries

Injury:

 Fractured skull and several breaks to left leg

Fine:

£13,500

Company:

Wienerberger Limited

Legislation:

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

Costs:

£4,190.70

Source:

HSE, 15 May 2013

Bradford man may lose lower leg after work injury

Injury:

Part of big toe severed, sole of foot split. Crush injuries to leg and foot.

Fine:

£12,000

Company:

Emballator UK Ltd

Legislation:

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

Costs:

 £3,769

Source:

HSE, 1 May 2013

Durham firm sentenced after worker's arm amputated

Injury:

Arm amputated, spinal injuries, fractured ribs, broken left wrist, friction burns to stomach, and severe cuts to face

Fine:

£8,000

Company:

 Tynedale Roadstone Limited

Legislation:

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

Costs:

£18,994.17

Source:

HSE, 20 May 2013

Tyre firm fined after worker injured

Injury:

 Broken pelvis, left foot, ankle and leg, right arm, hand and wrist and fractured two bones in neck. Also deep cuts to left leg.

Fine:

£8,000

Company:

Saltire Recovery Ltd

Legislation:

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

Costs:

 £4,722

Source:

HSE, 15 May 2013

International firm neglected safety

Injury:

Left leg broken

Fine:

 £6,000

Company:

 Joseph Gallagher Ltd

Legislation:

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 197

Costs:

£4,406

Source:

HSE, 8 May 2013

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.