Company fined £800k
An engineering company has been fined after a labourer died during the construction of a wind farm on the Shetland Islands. Liam MacDonald, from Ross-shire, lost his life on the morning of 5 June 2022 while removing dried concrete from a skip at the Viking site on Upper Kergord. Mr MacDonald, an agency worker who had started working on the site just over a month earlier, had been using a hammer to chip away the concrete when the skip’s bale arm fell on top of him.
The 23-year-old was found motionless with the skip’s bale arm pinned against his chest, which led to an alarm being raised at the site. Colleagues subsequently performed CPR on Mr MacDonald, before administering a defibrillator, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by the emergency services. Jackie Randell, the Investigating Inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), found the principal contractor BAM Nuttall failed to secure the bale arm from falling.
The HSE also found the company had failed to identify the risks of the bale arm falling and failed to put in place a safe system of work to ensure that anyone using, maintaining or cleaning the skip would be protected from harm
Wendy Robson, Mr MacDonald’s mother, said: “Liam loved life, his family and friends. He was just at the start of his adult life, still finding who he was, and full of hopes and dreams. BAM Nuttall Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £800k with a £60k victim surcharge at Inverness Sheriff Court on 18 December 2024. “BAM Nuttall had failed in its duty to ensure the safety of their workforce”
Inspector Randell said: “This was a tragic incident which led to the death of a young man. Our thoughts remain with Mr MacDonald’s friends and family at this time.
“BAM Nuttall had failed in its duty to ensure the safety of their workforce. This prosecution should serve as a reminder for all contractors to implement suitable risk assessments and safe systems of work.
“Up to date safety information provided by manufacturers of work equipment must be reviewed as part of this risk assessment process. It is of crucial importance that safety information from manufacturers is highlighted to the workforce and rigorous monitoring is carried out to ensure that everyone is kept safe.”
Training Courses 2025
- Temporary Works Supervisor
- Temporary Works Co-ordinator
- First Aid
- Scaffold Inspections
- Mental Health Awareness
- NVQ Assessments for Construction
- SMSTS & Refreshers
- SSSTS & Refreshers
- Health & Safety Awareness
- SEATS
- Plant (NPORS & CPCS)
Please contact Bex on 02380669305, or email bw@msasafety.co.uk, for further details.
Key Health and Safety Statistics
As we step into 2025, health and safety remain at the forefront of workplace and public health concerns, with evolving risks, new technologies and updated regulations constantly keeping businesses and industry professionals on their toes.
In this article, we take a look at some of the most significant health and safety regulations across different official Health and Safety bodies, from 2024 through into 2025.
Key Health and Safety Statistics for 2024
- 1.7 million working people suffer from a work-related illness, including 776,000 suffering work related stress, depression or anxiety. 543,000 workers also suffered from work related musculoskeletal disorder. This could be a sign workers are often overworked, negatively impacting their wellbeing.
- 138 workers killed in work-related accidents. This could be down to errors such as lack of appropriate PPE, and other protective measures issues.
- £21.6 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions, again suggesting inadequate PPE was in place as well as a poor level of risk assessment.
Key Health and Safety Themes for 2025
Despite the year only just beginning, there are a number of new regulations that have been bought in and will impact certain workforces:
New simplified advice for installers of stone worktops
Britain’s workplace safety regulator has published a helpful guide of do’s and don’ts for people installing stone worktops. The guidance helps to ensure that suitable precautions are in place to help protect against exposure to stone dust and breathing in respirable crystalline silica. Simplified advice should help more people understand the risks and implement mitigations.
With an estimated 500 construction workers dying each year from silicosis, its vital awareness is increased to ensure the risk of damaging lungs is reduced.
Work-related ill health
Ill health related to work is another theme that dominates the health and safety landscape every year and is likely to be a key talking point in 2025. Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive showed that 1.7 million workers suffered from work-related ill health in 2024, leading to sick leave and reduced office productivity. While the number of 1.7 million is a slight decrease from 2022/23, efforts will be needed to continue the decline.
Source: H&S Network
Training Funding
Employer Networks are a new initiative set up to simplify the way you get the funding you need to access the training you want.
It is sometimes difficult to navigate the funding options available to you, along with the onerous paperwork. This is where we come in as we’re here to help you access your funding!
The training can be in anything that supports construction employers. These could be the trade skills you need right now or something you’ll need in the future – such as net zero, digital skills or mentoring.
Do you have training coming up for you or your team?
If you are a CITB Levy Member, this applies to you!
Call us, and we will book your courses and make sure you get the funding, without all the paperwork!
70% of training fees covered
Funding Options for NVQ Qualifications
We can help you and your team upskill with NVQS, upgrade CSCS Cards and get the funding you are entitled to as a CITB Levied company. CITB funding covers an extensive range of Construction NVQs, ranging from Level 2 all the way up to Level 7.
We know that, at times, funding can seem inaccessible, or the claiming process too long-winded.
That’s where we can help you to;
- Assess those employees with the required experience who require formal recognition.
- Achieve the full funding allocation available to you or your team.
- Explain the process clearly, including timescales and funding levels available.
- Minimise access issues by having the appropriate CSCS card.
Plus, assessments can be conducted at your workplace, so there is no time away from site.
Farmers Admit Failings Over Cow Trampling Death
In September 2020, David Clark, a 59-year-old teacher from Richmond, North Yorkshire, was fatally crushed by cows while walking his two dogs across a field. The field, owned by brothers David and Andrew Turnbull, lacked adequate warning signs advising walkers of potential dangers associated with the livestock.
Legal Outcome:
The Turnbulls pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of non-employees on their farm. The court accepted that the absence of sufficient warning signage was a significant factor. Sentencing is scheduled for 3 March, with fines anticipated as the primary penalty.
Safety Implications:
- Risk Assessment: Landowners should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards to the public, especially on properties with public access.
- Adequate Signage: Clearly visible and informative warning signs should be installed to alert the public to potential dangers, such as livestock presence.
- Public Guidance: Providing alternative routes or guidance can help mitigate risks to individuals traversing potentially hazardous areas.
Source: BBC News
WHAT’S ON
Winchester Comedy Festival
Theatre Royal Winchester
28th March (19:30 – 21:30)
Enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy with Glenn Moore, Celya AB, Paul McCaffrey and Tom Deacon (MC).
www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
After Dark – The Planetarium
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium
21st March to August 2025 (18:00 – 19:20)
Zoom through the stars on an exciting flight through the solar system. Take a seat in the breath-taking Planetarium and discover the secrets of the skies above us during a presenter-led live show.
www.winchestersciencecentre.org
ABP Southampton Marathon
Guildhall Square, Southampton
6th April 2025 (07:00 – 17:00)
Join the 10th Anniversary of the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K and Fun Run! Run with friends, with your club or for a charity. The route takes you round parks, seas and city.
DOGSTIVAL 2025
Burley Park, Burley
31st May & 1st June 2025
Set in the heart of the New Forest, Dogstival is a totally unique and slightly bonkers festival dedicated to our four-legged friends. Burley Park will be transformed into a doggy paradise with paw-dropping arena displays, giant swimming pools and activities for dogs to get their paws involved with.
These events are not recommendations, they are for information only. MSA cannot be held responsible for lack of enjoyment, financial loss or issues arising from these activities. Activities are undertaken at the readers choice and risk.
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