DIY chain B&Q has been fined almost £28,000 after a lawnmower was dropped on the head of a worker at its Wednesbury store, knocking her out.
The store admitted a charge under the Health and Safety Act at West Bromwich Magistrates Court after the case was brought by Sandwell Council.
Gary Cook, prosecuting on behalf of the council, told district judge Derek French that on January 31, 2006 staff at the Axletree Way store were asked to replenish stock, in a process called a “stock rumble”.
The court heard two male members of staff were using ‘aircraft’ steps to remove boxed lawnmowers weighing 18kg from middle racking to floor level .
District Judge French was told while this was happening a woman member of staff walked underneath the steps. However, at the same time, while passing the lawnmower down the steps, it slipped, fell and hit her on the side of her head.
“As a result of having being struck by the box she was rendered unconscious and had since had headaches, blackouts and stress-induced pseudo seizures,” said Mr Cook.
Mark Balysz, defending on behalf of B&Q, said since the accident a new risk assessment has been drafted to deal with merchandising activity on aircraft steps.
He said in the past five years, the whole of the company’s 330 stores had only reported seven accidents involving aircraft steps and stock.
“You can be sure that this incident in these circumstances won’t happen at the Wednesbury store again.”
Summing up, district judge French, said: “I accept that B&Q is a responsible employer and indeed I accept the assertion made that they are concerned about the welfare of their employees. However, it seems to me and it seems to be accepted by B&Q that this accident was avoidable.”
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 28 July 2008
Monday, 21 July 2008
Monday, 14 July 2008
Demolition Dave
A DIY fan who cut an underground phone cable by mistake was hit with a £25,780 repair bill, two years after the accident.
David Brown, 40, rammed a metal post through a fibre-optic line while putting up a fence in his front garden in Rings end, Cambs.
A spokesperson for BT said: "A BT engineer was sent out to the incident and as a result of Mr Browns actions, we’ve had to replace 2,000 metres of cable"
David has been given just 21 days to pay.
The furniture sprayer, who lives with frail mum Jean, 70, in Rings end, Cambs, said: “I was shocked when I opened the bill. I had no idea the cable was in the garden.”
David has contacted his insurance firm to find out if he is covered.
Mind how you go now!
David Brown, 40, rammed a metal post through a fibre-optic line while putting up a fence in his front garden in Rings end, Cambs.
A spokesperson for BT said: "A BT engineer was sent out to the incident and as a result of Mr Browns actions, we’ve had to replace 2,000 metres of cable"
David has been given just 21 days to pay.
The furniture sprayer, who lives with frail mum Jean, 70, in Rings end, Cambs, said: “I was shocked when I opened the bill. I had no idea the cable was in the garden.”
David has contacted his insurance firm to find out if he is covered.
Mind how you go now!
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Exercise is bad for your home
The latest fitness craze to sweep Britain has its down side. A recent survey claims women exercising on the Nintendo Wii are causing millions of pounds worth of damage to their homes.
The bungling fitness fiends have contributed to an estimated annual living room repair bill of £19million.
Flower pots, television sets and even pets have been sent flying by the high kicks and hula hoop motions of increasingly vigorous home exercise routines.
Almost 20 per cent of women polled admitted having accidents after getting carried away in the living room with fitness routines such as those on the Nintendo Wii Fit.
Many of the 1000 women polled admitted they had caused an average of £7 worth of damage to their homes in the last year with over-enthusiastic work-outs.
Mind how you go now!
The bungling fitness fiends have contributed to an estimated annual living room repair bill of £19million.
Flower pots, television sets and even pets have been sent flying by the high kicks and hula hoop motions of increasingly vigorous home exercise routines.
Almost 20 per cent of women polled admitted having accidents after getting carried away in the living room with fitness routines such as those on the Nintendo Wii Fit.
Many of the 1000 women polled admitted they had caused an average of £7 worth of damage to their homes in the last year with over-enthusiastic work-outs.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 23 June 2008
Stick to carpet
Thousands of people are ending up in hospital after slipping on trendy wood floors says a new survey.
Latest figures show the DIY craze for the laminate boarding has seen accidents soar from 2,900 in 1998 to 12,300 in 2007.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said most of the mishaps were caused by walking about barefoot or in socks.
A spokesman advised homeowners to put down non-slip mats or wear shoes with extra grip and to avoid spilling liquid on the veneer planks as it cannot be absorbed.
The number of people hurt on micro-scooters has also shot up since the fad swept Britain two years ago, the RoSPA survey also showed.
Changing cooking habits led to a rise in microwave-related injuries from 1,800 to 2,700? half involving burns caused by hot liquids.
A total of 2.7million people were hurt in accidents in the home and 2.8million slipped up outdoors.
Children had the most accidents with more than 900,000 kids under five injured.
But a quarter fewer youngsters suffered suspected poisoning.
On the wackier side, 700 people were hurt by trouser zips and another 8,500 came a cropper on high-heeled and platform shoes.
Mind how you go now!
Latest figures show the DIY craze for the laminate boarding has seen accidents soar from 2,900 in 1998 to 12,300 in 2007.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said most of the mishaps were caused by walking about barefoot or in socks.A spokesman advised homeowners to put down non-slip mats or wear shoes with extra grip and to avoid spilling liquid on the veneer planks as it cannot be absorbed.
The number of people hurt on micro-scooters has also shot up since the fad swept Britain two years ago, the RoSPA survey also showed.
Changing cooking habits led to a rise in microwave-related injuries from 1,800 to 2,700? half involving burns caused by hot liquids.
A total of 2.7million people were hurt in accidents in the home and 2.8million slipped up outdoors.
Children had the most accidents with more than 900,000 kids under five injured.
But a quarter fewer youngsters suffered suspected poisoning.
On the wackier side, 700 people were hurt by trouser zips and another 8,500 came a cropper on high-heeled and platform shoes.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 16 June 2008
Costly DIY
A recent survey of 1500 men has revealed more than a third (37%) admitted they don't really like doing DIY and another third of all men feel under pressure from their partners to undertake DIY jobs.
This figure is corroborated by the fact that 31% of women expect their partners to carry out the necessary home improvement and 49% think DIY skills are desirable in a prospective partner.
Conversely, only 2% of men expect their partners to be able to accomplish DIY tasks.
The survey further suggests that, in order to impress their partners, many men take on too ambitious and even possibly dangerous projects such as electric wiring or major building or gas works.
A spokesperson for ROSPA said "TV home makeover shows make it all appear so simple, and it's easy to forget that these are highly skilled professionals."
"In reality trying to tackle certain areas you are not qualified for such as electrics or plumbing is dangerous and could even invalidate your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for any subsequent damage. We'd recommend using a reputable tradesman rather than going it alone."
ROSPA urges homeowners who do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to be cautious, because their home insurance might be invalidated if their home improvement work goes wrong.
Accidental damage of sinks, baths, ceramic hobs or glass in doors is included in most policies, but common DIY disasters like drilling into a water pipe or putting a foot through the ceiling might require additional cover.
Mind how you go now!
This figure is corroborated by the fact that 31% of women expect their partners to carry out the necessary home improvement and 49% think DIY skills are desirable in a prospective partner.
Conversely, only 2% of men expect their partners to be able to accomplish DIY tasks.
The survey further suggests that, in order to impress their partners, many men take on too ambitious and even possibly dangerous projects such as electric wiring or major building or gas works.
A spokesperson for ROSPA said "TV home makeover shows make it all appear so simple, and it's easy to forget that these are highly skilled professionals."
"In reality trying to tackle certain areas you are not qualified for such as electrics or plumbing is dangerous and could even invalidate your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for any subsequent damage. We'd recommend using a reputable tradesman rather than going it alone."
ROSPA urges homeowners who do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to be cautious, because their home insurance might be invalidated if their home improvement work goes wrong.
Accidental damage of sinks, baths, ceramic hobs or glass in doors is included in most policies, but common DIY disasters like drilling into a water pipe or putting a foot through the ceiling might require additional cover.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 9 June 2008
Ingenious or stupid you decide!
What were they thinking!
Things are done a little differently in the rest of the world, try this at work and see what health and safety have to say.
Mind how you go now!
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