HSE inspects 100 Teesside businesses

A watchdog has conducted more than 100 investigations in the Teesside area in the last week, emphasising the importance of health and safety courses.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served improvement notices to four businesses and a prohibition order for another.

Laura Lyons, an inspector for the organisation, claims preventing an accident occurring, which can be achieved through safety posters and training videos, is better than having to deal with the consequences.

She states: "We're very pleased to see that the health and safety message is getting through on Teesside and businesses are taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their employees."

Ms Lyons says businesses served with a notice are able to appeal this at an industrial tribunal if they so desire.

The recent prosecution of two firms following a fatal accident has highlighted the need for health and safety training, the HSE claims.

UCS Civils and Pochin Concrete Pumping have been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £76,600.