HSE issues risk assessment warning after conviction
January 26, 2009
The importance of full risk assessments has been stressed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a company and director were found guilty of manslaughter.
In news which may interest those considering risk assessment training, East Sussex firm IC Roofing and its owner and director Colin Cooper appeared at Hove crown court in connection with the death of 20-year-old Darren Hoofe.
Mr Cooper admitted to breaches of health and safety law and pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges at a previous appearance, but was found guilty by a jury and will be sentenced tomorrow (January 27th).
The court heard that Mr Hoofe had not received health and safety training and was not wearing a harness when he fell through a factory skylight on November 29th 2005.
He died of his injuries in hospital the next day, with the HSE and Sussex police launching an investigation into the incident.
Amanda Huff, HSE inspector, said: "The tragedy of Darren Hoofe's death is that it could so easily have been avoided. If fatal accidents are to be prevented then work must be adequately planned and appropriate measures taken before work starts."
Last week, councillors in the West Midlands pointed out that a risk assessment should have been carried out at a skate park at Dawberry Playing Fields and called for the site to be improved, according to the Birmingham Mail.
In news which may interest those considering risk assessment training, East Sussex firm IC Roofing and its owner and director Colin Cooper appeared at Hove crown court in connection with the death of 20-year-old Darren Hoofe.
Mr Cooper admitted to breaches of health and safety law and pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges at a previous appearance, but was found guilty by a jury and will be sentenced tomorrow (January 27th).
The court heard that Mr Hoofe had not received health and safety training and was not wearing a harness when he fell through a factory skylight on November 29th 2005.
He died of his injuries in hospital the next day, with the HSE and Sussex police launching an investigation into the incident.
Amanda Huff, HSE inspector, said: "The tragedy of Darren Hoofe's death is that it could so easily have been avoided. If fatal accidents are to be prevented then work must be adequately planned and appropriate measures taken before work starts."
Last week, councillors in the West Midlands pointed out that a risk assessment should have been carried out at a skate park at Dawberry Playing Fields and called for the site to be improved, according to the Birmingham Mail.
More Risk Assessment news:
Labourer killed by a falling steel joist - October 30, 2009Lifeguard fined after father-of-three drowns - October 30, 2009
Company fined GBP18000 after worker loses parts of fingers in machinery - September 29, 2009
Plant fined GBP30,000 after worker loses three fingers - July 3, 2009
Safety warning to children about construction sites dangers - July 2, 2009
