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The latest news from Lighthouse

Showing articles by Simon Patchett

lpg forklift truck moving boxes

21st September 2023

LPG Forklift Fire Risks

Introduction The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently issued an urgent safety notice regarding fire risks associated with LPG forklift trucks. In this blog, we look at what these highlighted risks are, and what you may need to act on. Background There have been several fires involving LPG powered forklift trucks and other similar equipment […]

HSE Launch Campaign On Moving & Handling

13th September 2023

Latest HSE Targeted Campaign to Focus on Moving and Handling Materials

What’s Happening? In the latest targeted inspection regime from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Inspectors will be carrying out inspections of construction sites across the country from 4th September 2023 –  specifically focusing on the health risks of moving and handling materials. HSE are concerned that moving and handling heavy or bulky objects on construction […]

person operating machine

6th September 2023

Machinery Accident Costs Manufacturer £200k Fine

What’s Happened? A Northumberland-based manufacturer has recently been fined £200,000 after it failed to guard and prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery – which led to a trainee’s left arm being pulled into a lathe and broken in two places. The Accident A 22-year-old trainee – who’d only started working for the company shortly […]

red bus in London

30th August 2023

Tribunal Rules On Gender Specific Slurs

In the recent case of Miss Amanda Fischer v London United Busways Limited [2300846/2021], the tribunal heard claims relating to the use of slurs in the workplace and whether they were gender specific, which were pleaded as gender reassignment discrimination. Miss Amanda Fischer (the Claimant) was engaged by the Respondent (London United Busways Limited) as […]

fire

16th August 2023

Hotel Owner Is Prosecuted After Multiple Fire Safety Breaches

What’s Happened? The owner of a Grade II listed hotel based in Northumberland has recently received a two-year suspended custodial sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges brought under current fire safety legislation. Multiple Offences The offences related to significant fire safety deficiencies identified during a routine fire safety audit conducted by inspecting officers from […]

red fire alarm

9th August 2023

Restaurant Company Fined £20,000 For Fire Safety Breaches

What’s Happened A restaurant business has recently been found guilty of various fire safety breaches and failing to comply with a fire safety enforcement notice served by the Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service (HWFRS) requiring them to make fire safety improvements. As a result, the company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay […]

red and black fire alarm on a wall

3rd August 2023

Student Residential Building Closed Over Fire Safety Concerns

What’s Happened? A seven-storey residential building in Colchester has recently been evacuated after concerns over fire safety defects posed a serious risk to life. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) confirmed that they visited on 26th June 2023 and “recorded numerous fire safety issues”. This subsequently led to inspectors issuing a prohibition notice the […]

people dancing in nightclub

26th July 2023

A Desire To Go Clubbing Is Not Discriminatory

Does a disagreement over a venue for a work Christmas party amount to discriminatory conduct? No held the tribunal in the recent case of Mrs C Palladino v Reed in Partnership Ltd. In the case, the Claimant (Mrs C Palladino) worked for the Respondent (Reed in Partnership Ltd) as an HR advisor. At the time […]

group of electric scooters

19th July 2023

Fire Risks Of Charging Electric Bikes/Scooters

Introduction Lithium batteries which power e-bikes and e-scooters are the fastest growing fire risk within premises. In London alone, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) revealed their statistics that indicate the emergency services have been called out to a battery fire once every two days. The risk is such that all e-vehicles have been banned from […]