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Waste Company Prosecuted Over Fall From Vehicle Risk

WASTE COMPANY PROSECUTED OVER FALL FROM VEHICLE RISKTipper driver fell from HGV whilst fixing auto-sheeting safety device.Quick Skips & Recycling Ltd and has been prosecuted after a worker sustained life-threatening injuries, on his first day in a new job, when he fell from the top of a tipper lorry. The company from which waste was being collected (Bridgemarts Limited – trading as Gowing & Pursey) were prosecuted at an earlier hearing.The 40-year-old from Kent fractured two ribs, punctured a lung and developed a blood clot in his head as a result of the fall in London on 2 March 2010. He was unconscious in hospital for two weeks.Westminster Magistrates heard (24 October) that he was collecting waste for transfer to another site. He loaded the lorry and climbed on top of the tipper unit to check an auto-sheeting device, used to cover the load, that was jammed. When he freed the jam the sheet system sprung back, striking him and sending him crashing more than 3m to the ground below.HSE investigators found that “both companies could and should have done more to prevent the fall”. Bridgemarts had overall responsibility for the site and failed to adequately control the work at height risks and ensure the safety of a contractor.Quick Skips allowed systematic failings in health and safety management, both in relation to the incident and also the operation of its site in Ealing. HSE inspectors identified several issues during a subsequent visit to this site, including excavators and HGVs operating within close proximity to workers.Effective controls must stop unsafe “clambering” atop HGVsQuick Skips & Recycling Ltd, of London, NW10, pleaded guilty to single breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. The company was fined a total of £20,000 and ordered to pay £2,843 in costs.Bridgemarts was earlier fined £7,000 with £1,410 in costs at Westminster Magistrates after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 on 11 July.After the latest hearing, HSE Inspector Neil Fry said:“The Quick Skips employee could have died as a result of the fall, which would have unbelievably tragic on his first day of work at the firm. All because of an incident that was entirely preventable and that would never have happened had both companies properly managed the safety risks.Incidents of this kind are all too common in the waste industry and effective controls must be put in place to stop employees clambering on top of HGVs without the right safety equipment and agreed safe working protocols.”This article was posted on 25th October 2012 in ALL LATEST NEWS, PROSECUTIONS, WORK AT HEIGHT, falls other, vehicles.PP Construction Safety H&S Assistance and Consultancy service.SOURCE:  http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/newsdesk/2012/10/25/waste-company-prosecuted-over-fall-from-vehicle-risk/

Rosco White ● 5073d0 Comments ● 5073d

CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR THE DISABLED

So, they've done it. Remploy has been closed and the disabled workers there thrown onto the scrapheap by this uncaring callous government. They say the ex-workers will be 'helped' to find work in the mainstream.  What a joke.  It's hard enough for the able bodied to find work, how are disabled people going to compete? Remploy was a lifeline for so many people, an environment where they could work without fear of bullying or ridicule. Rempoy offered disable people the chance to meet and socialise with others instead of being confined to their homes with occasional trips to a day centre or visits from home helps. Cameron and Johnson were only too pleased to bask in the glory of our paralympians and yet in an area where disabled people could achieve on a less glamorous stage they acouldn't care less. And where was our Tory MP Angie Bray whilst this closure was taking place? She was urging us to vote for a dog!Nice to know where her priorities lie. No doubt the land occupied by the factory will be 'sold' to some developer friend of the government.

Tony Loftus ● 5073d1 Comments ● 5073d

Hillcrest Surgery Booking system disaster

You phone between 8.30 and 10. Explain the problem to the receptionist. The doctor phones back, could be any time. If you are out does not leave a message.Talks to you and if deemed important enough makes a booking but could be with any doctor for anytime that day.Does every surgery in Acton have this appalling system?

Bob Crossley ● 5076d10 Comments ● 5073d

Wanted Mon-Fri Room to Rent

As I'm leaving Acton very soon my lodger will need another room from Monday to Friday.  She is a mature, professional woman who I can recommend.  Please let me know if you have an empty room to let.

Caroline Kerr-Smith ● 5075d2 Comments ● 5074d

What's that thing in Churchfield Road?

Hardly ever drive along but the weather was so foul today that I did - and there was this pillar thing on the left hand side - I think near the Rocket. It looked as if had a map on it but I was driving and it was dark and wet so I couldn't really tell.What is it?

Sara Nathan ● 5082d23 Comments ● 5075d

Two suspicious men

I saw two suspicious men in Perryn Road looking into house windows on each side of the street last week at about lunchtime. One was about 6ft 2, the other 5ft 11ish, one with a heavy looking tool bag and both with rucksacks. I think someone called the police as they crept up the road behind me and started following the men. Worth calling the police if you see them again.

Sharon Hanley ● 5077d2 Comments ● 5075d

O2 broadband

Anyone else with O2 broadband? Mine's been acting up over the weekend and I couldn't get any service at all from yesterday evening.

Olga Sidoryk ● 5077d7 Comments ● 5075d

Acton Community Photography

Hi everyone, Im in my final year of university and I am doing my major photography project on Acton and its community. Which you all are! I feel that I want to show there is a different side to London that you only see if you live here. And with Acton being my home town I think its the perfect place to show this.I was hoping that you as the community would have some ideas or input into what you think matters about portraying Acton to the world.Thank you,Charlotte

Charlotte Bramley ● 5076d3 Comments ● 5076d

Doorstep Chuggers

Marie Curie are at it, again.  They have a long well rehearsed pitch, designed to tug on the heart strings.  It will only cost you a bar of chocolate and a drink  (another variation on the walnut whip,) can we rely on your support.  Watch the forms come out, asking for bank details.Don't sign anything on the doorstep, if you want to give to charity, give direct, not to the chuggers (a) they work on commission and (b) they may not be genuine, no matter how good the credentials presented on the doorstep.  Why do they work at night?

Nicola Howard ● 5076d0 Comments ● 5076d

Tupperware is Back.... and you can order online...

For all those who thought Tupperware was a thing of the past, it's back in the UK.  I am a representative and can do parties, or you can order ONLINE  from my e-commerce website.PM me if you would like more details.www.thetupperwarelady.co.ukThank you.

Natarsha Lambie ● 5077d1 Comments ● 5076d

CCA Meeting, att Sara

SaraCould you post details of the open meeting for Wednesday 21st Nov, at St Mary's Church Hall.There is a`question that some residents would like to put to Julian Bell, which is as follows:(1)  Why is the council doing nothing to combat the PM 10 levels on and around Horn Ln?(2)  What do the council propose to do to resolve the problem of high PM 10 levels in the area?(3)  Why are council officials reluctant to give ref Nos when a complaint is made and, why do the avoid the issue?The rest we play by ear, even if it means an ambush.

Nicola Howard ● 5078d11 Comments ● 5076d

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ACTON

They shut down our local pool but are replacing it, they tried to close our Library but we stopped them, They want to close all our A&E departments NOW our fire station. Do our politicians hate Acton??? are thye trying to kill Acton???  not happy

Diana Oneill ● 5081d19 Comments ● 5077d

Just voted for Angie Bray's dog Poppy

(a labradoodle) for Westminster dog of the yearhttp://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/4423

Patrick Gray ● 5077d0 Comments ● 5077d

Helium Balloons

Anyone know of anywhere in Acton I can get some normal Balloons filled with Helium for my sons Birthday?

Rupert Picken ● 5081d9 Comments ● 5077d

New Card Scam

Interesting articlw below:A new card scam in which people are tricked into handing over their bank card details and pin numbers has seen customers duped out of £1.5 million since the beginning of 2011. The scam works by the victim being telephoned by the fraudster to renew their debit or credit card owing to a fraud on the account. The owner is told to key in their pin number on the phone and a courier is sent out to collect the card. The card is then sent direct to the criminal who also has the pin number. The majority of victims are older adults and the scammers often give an alternative number for people to call back on to ensure the call is genuine. But instead of hanging up many people are tricked into thinking the call is from their bank and stay on the line. In total, £1.5 million has been lost to this type of crime and £750,000 of this was taken in the first four months of the year - the same as the whole of 2011. The UK Payments Council has urged people never to hand over their card to anyone who has come to the door, never to enter their pin number over the telephone and to always speak to their bank securely by making sure there is a dial tone when calling and only ever using the bank’s advertised number. "Many of us feel confident that we can spot fraudsters but this type of crime can be sophisticated and could happen to anyone," warns DCR Paul Barnard, head of the bank sponsored dedicated cheque and plastic crime unit (DCPCU). "While we have seen an increase in this type of fraud, we know collectively we can stamp it out. If you have friends or relatives who you feel may be vulnerable to this, please help them to be more aware of the potential risks and what to look out for," he adds.

Tony Crumpton ● 5079d0 Comments ● 5079d

Fly tipping

Front page of The Gazette - well done Diane :)

Jan Norman ● 5086d8 Comments ● 5080d

Drug arrest Churchfield Road

Rather jolly police searching two gentlemen as I passed just now. They were moving on to a strip search at the station. Who knows, might just be the deterrent needed.

Maire Lowe ● 5082d12 Comments ● 5080d

Can anyone recommend a builder/roofer?

I have a flat roof and have noticed that there seems to be damp or water damage on the ceiling so there is obviously something wrong! Have ignored it but probably shouldn't! Does anyone know a good builder or roofer they can recommend?

ShaoYing BenNathan ● 5080d1 Comments ● 5080d

Western Ave PM10 Pollution at 6

Western Avenue PM10 readings at 6, Horn Lane PM10 at 1!  This monitoring station is just before the Gypsy Corner jct with Horn Lane, anyone know what's going on in the area?

Siobhan Martin ● 5081d1 Comments ● 5080d

Another shop closing on the High St.

ACE office supplies is closing down, expected to do so within the next three weeks.  Managed to get a 2013 diary at knocked down price.How many more businesses will be finding it difficult to survive?  The bakers has gone, along with a chemist, the shoe shop is closing, but, there again, they tend to keep doing it.  Is there any future for businesses in Acton?  Looks like we will have to go to Chiswick and, pay Chiswick prices.

Nicola Howard ● 5091d23 Comments ● 5081d