1. Builder fined after boy’s skull fractured by falling pipe
A construction company and its director have been fined following an incident where a cast‑iron soil pipe came loose and fell onto a five‑year‑old child walking past, fracturing his skull. The pipe dated from the 1930s and was corroded, with the builder having broken the base earlier in preparation for some floor work, leaving it unsecured.
Lesson: even old fixtures, especially those not normally thought of as part of the structure (like soil pipes), must be included in risk assessments. Corrosion, age, and likelihood of access by passers‑by elevate the risk significantly.
2. HSE issues safety notice for excavators and related plant operations
The HSE has issued a safety notice to excavator operators, slingers, and anyone working nearby. It emphasises the importance of using the safety control lever or an isolation device when the plant is at rest or idling. Unintended movement of such machinery has been identified as a serious risk, especially for those within the “working arc” of the plant’s movement.
Implication: sites need robust control over plant operations, and training & supervision should specifically cover safety controls / lever usage; this is not just “nice to have” but a matter of meeting legal duty.
3. Risk from unqualified contractors grows ahead of new legislation
Trade bodies BESA and TICA have warned that many multi‑trade firms are using contractors who are not properly qualified. Examples include ductwork installed with serious safety flaws, which can create both health (e.g. mould) and fire risks. With Awaab’s Law coming into effect in October 2025, requiring quicker investigation and remedial action regarding damp and mould, the competence of those doing the work will be under much more scrutiny.
✅ What This Means for Your Business & Safety Practice
These recent developments reinforce several key areas that businesses must ensure are handled well:
-
Comprehensive risk assessment: not just of what is obvious (working at height, heavy plant) but also of what may be aged, hidden, or overlooked (old pipes, corroded fixtures, etc.).
-
Plant safety & controls: ensure operators are trained and supervised to use safety levers / isolation devices. Clear procedures & method statements are needed.
-
Workforce competence & verification: employing properly qualified contractors or trades ‒ especially ahead of new requirements like Awaab’s Law ‒ will be essential. Having credible evidence of competence will be increasingly important not just for compliance but to avoid serious risks.
💼 Opportunities for All Star Safety Ltd to Help
At All Star Safety, we are well placed to support your organisation with these challenges:
-
Training & NVQ Services:
We deliver training programmes covering risk assessment, plant safety, safe operation of excavators and slingers, etc. Our NVQ assessments ensure that your staff and contractors can demonstrate competence to a recognised standard.
-
Safety Consultancy & Assessments:
We can provide site and plant safety audits, inspections of aged infrastructure (like old pipes or fixtures), assessment of contractor competence, and advise on compliance with upcoming legal changes (e.g. Awaab’s Law).
-
Policy, Procedure & Documentation Development:
We assist with drafting clear, compliant procedures covering plant safety, safe isolation and control procedures. We also help clients set up systems to verify contractor competence, maintain training records, and ensure policies for maintenance and inspection of older equipment or structure elements.
If you would like a tailored safety audit, NVQ assessment, or help updating your safety training or contractor verification systems, contact All Star Safety Ltd on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.