Australia | Court imposes $400,000 fine for asbestos violations at renovation site

WorkSafe ACT | Dream Haus Pty Ltd. has been convicted of two Category 2 offences by the ACT Industrial Court Magistrate, resulting in a $400,000 penalty.

An ex-parte hearing concerning Dream Haus has resulted in two guilty verdicts for Category 2 offences under the Work Health and Safety Act.

The charges relate to a serious incident on 2 November 2022, during which Dream Haus engaged in renovation works at a property in Chapman, ACT, disrupting materials containing asbestos. The court found the company failed to comply with its health and safety duties, placing workers and the public at risk.

During sentencing, Magistrate Lawton stated that “there are aggravating features with both… lack of communication was a main factor in both charges… not following their own safe work method statement (SWMS).”

He further noted that “the use of asbestos materials was in construction throughout the ACT for many years, and the costs of preliminary testing is low.”

— Accurate at time of publication | July 2025

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United States | Orlando aerospace facility cited for safety and health failures after fire injures workers

U.S. Department of Labor | The U.S. Department of Labor has cited an Orlando target-missile manufacturer for exposing workers to fire, burn, and inhalation hazards, after a December 2024 fire at its facility, hospitalizing two employees and injuring others.

 

Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that two employees of Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace Inc. were severely burned, and another sustained injuries from burns and smoke inhalation while they worked on a missile component.

OSHA also determined that the employer exposed other workers to burn and inhalation hazards from incorrectly stored and handled explosives and from failing to classify the physical hazards of a highly reactive chemical.

Aerojet Rocketdyne was cited with one wilful and six serious violations, with proposed penalties totalling $262,451.

The employer has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

— Accurate at time of publication | July 2025

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Wales | Company donates £150,000 to local rivers trust after polluting a Cardiff river

Natural Resources Wales | A company responsible for polluting Llanishen Brook and Roath Park Lake in Cardiff has agreed to donate £150,000 to a local environmental charity, following an enforcement undertaking secured by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The payment by Erith Contractors Ltd to the South East Wales Rivers Trust will support the delivery of projects aimed at conservation and restoration of river habitats across South Wales.

The case began when a member of the public reported foul-smelling grey water in Llanishen Brook to NRW on 28 September 2023.

NRW’s officers investigated and traced the source of the pollution to groundwork taking place at the former HMRC tax office site as part of preparations to demolish high-rise buildings.

A demolition crew had damaged a main sewer line, causing raw sewage to discharge into a tributary of Llanishen Brook, which ended up in Roath Park Lake.

Working closely with staff from Erith Contractors Ltd and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, NRW officers ensured that the damaged sewer was repaired and the pollution contained later that same day.

As part of the enforcement undertaking, Erith Contractors Ltd accepted full responsibility for the incident and committed to funding local environmental improvements through South East Wales Rivers Trust.

Following the incident, NRW continues to monitor and assess the brook and lake for any long-term environmental impacts. NRW has also advised Erith Contractors Ltd to take extra precautions during future work to avoid similar incidents.

An enforcement undertaking is a form of civil sanction available to NRW under the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. It allows companies to make amends for environmental offences by contributing to projects that directly benefit the environment.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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England | Landmark review of parental leave launched

Department for Business and Trade | The UK Government has launched a major review of the parental leave and pay system, the first of its kind in Britain.

As part of its “Plan for Change,” this review will look at how to “modernise parental leave to support families and help grow the economy.”

The review is to look at the whole system, from maternity and paternity leave to shared parental leave, to see how it can work better for parents and employers.

Right now, the system is considered by many to be complicated and to not always give families the support they need. It is believed that one-in-three dads don’t take paternity leave because they can’t afford to, and take-up of shared parental leave remains low.

Research also shows that better parental leave can help close the gender pay gap and boost the economy by billions of pounds.

The review will gather views from parents, employers, and experts across the country and will end with a roadmap for possible reforms.

— Accurate at time of publication | July 2025

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England | Record-breaking fine imposed on fleet for repeated overloading offences

Fleet News | A record-breaking fine has been imposed on a fleet for repeated overloading offences, following a hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

 

Starling Distribution Services was ordered to pay £759,000, the biggest fine being issued ever for a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) prosecution, after being convicted of overloading and defective vehicle offences for its milk delivery service.

Despite the company’s vehicles previously being found overloaded or with dangerous defects on multiple occasions, the court heard it continued to operate in a dangerous manner.

Starling Distribution Services was first prosecuted as part of DVSA’s Operation Milkman back in August 2023, where they were fined £204,660.

Despite this significant fine, the company continued to re-offend, leading to further convictions in November 2023 and August 2024, before this latest court appearance.

The court heard that the DVSA stopped three vehicles being operated by Starling Distribution Services during three routine inspections in August 2024 and in February, this year.

The vehicle with the biggest overload weighed 5,040kg when it should have weighed no more than 3,500kg, meaning it was 44% over the maximum permitted limit.

Another of the vehicles was overloaded by 1,080kg, meaning it was 30.86% over the maximum permitted limit. It also had significant roadworthiness issues including braking defects and inoperative direction indicators.

The vehicle’s condition was deemed to pose a danger to road users, and an immediate prohibition was issued.

Starling Distribution Services was ordered to pay a total of £759,000 by the court. This was made up of a total fine of £750,000, victim surcharge of £6,000, and costs of £3,000.

Two drivers were also prosecuted and issued smaller fines and costs.

— Accurate at time of publication | July 2025

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Hong Kong | Contractor fined for violation of safety legislation

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Shui On Building Contractors Limited has been fined $21,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts for violating the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on 21 March 2023, at a construction site on Anderson Road.

It is suspected that a worker, while carrying out debris clearance work at a building under construction, fell from a height onto the canopy on the first floor of the building.

The worker was unconscious and passed away on the same day.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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Australia | Telco company and director fined $545,000 over gas leak injury

WorkSafe Victoria | A telecommunications infrastructure company and one of its directors have been convicted and fined a total of $545,000 after the asphyxiation of a worker who was attempting to repair a gas leak at Bentleigh East.

 

National Infrastructure Solutions Pty Ltd was sentenced ex-parte at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of two offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The company was convicted and fined $250,000 for reckless conduct endangering persons at a workplace and $250,000 for failing to maintain a safe system of work, while also being ordered to pay $4,210 in costs.

Co-director Robert Felice, 56, was sentenced at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to a single charge of reckless conduct endangering persons at a workplace.

Felice was convicted and fined $45,000 and ordered to pay costs of $4,284.

In January 2023, two National Infrastructure Services workers struck an underground gas pipe while undertaking excavation works on a nature strip in Bentleigh East.

The court heard that instead of notifying the gas company and emergency services, Felice repeatedly directed the workers to continue digging and repair the pipe, aiming to avoid the need for an incident report.

One of the workers entered the excavation several times attempting to clamp the pipe, each time exiting with shortness of breath. The worker entered the excavation a final time, head first, but lost consciousness due to the inhalation of gas in the confined space.

After being dragged from the excavation by his colleague, the worker was transported to hospital for treatment of respiratory arrest, broken blood vessels in one eye, and chest pains due to inhaling gas and resuscitation efforts.

He was further diagnosed with acute stress disorder from the incident.

The court heard both National Infrastructure Solutions and Felice had engaged in reckless conduct that placed another person in danger of serious injury or death from asphyxiation caused by the gas leak.

It was reasonably practicable for the company to have maintained a safe system of work which ensured that, after the gas pipe was struck, all work activities were ceased, the owner of the gas pipe was contacted immediately to stop the leak and conduct repairs, the area was barricaded to keep vehicles and members of the public away, and the workers were evacuated to a safe distance.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

WorkSafe Victoria | A telecommunications infrastructure company and one of its directors have been convicted and fined a total of $545,000 after the asphyxiation of a worker who was attempting to repair a gas leak at Bentleigh East.

 

National Infrastructure Solutions Pty Ltd was sentenced ex-parte at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of two offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The company was convicted and fined $250,000 for reckless conduct endangering persons at a workplace and $250,000 for failing to maintain a safe system of work, while also being ordered to pay $4,210 in costs.

Co-director Robert Felice, 56, was sentenced at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to a single charge of reckless conduct endangering persons at a workplace.

Felice was convicted and fined $45,000 and ordered to pay costs of $4,284.

In January 2023, two National Infrastructure Services workers struck an underground gas pipe while undertaking excavation works on a nature strip in Bentleigh East.

The court heard that instead of notifying the gas company and emergency services, Felice repeatedly directed the workers to continue digging and repair the pipe, aiming to avoid the need for an incident report.

One of the workers entered the excavation several times attempting to clamp the pipe, each time exiting with shortness of breath. The worker entered the excavation a final time, head first, but lost consciousness due to the inhalation of gas in the confined space.

After being dragged from the excavation by his colleague, the worker was transported to hospital for treatment of respiratory arrest, broken blood vessels in one eye, and chest pains due to inhaling gas and resuscitation efforts.

He was further diagnosed with acute stress disorder from the incident.

The court heard both National Infrastructure Solutions and Felice had engaged in reckless conduct that placed another person in danger of serious injury or death from asphyxiation caused by the gas leak.

It was reasonably practicable for the company to have maintained a safe system of work which ensured that, after the gas pipe was struck, all work activities were ceased, the owner of the gas pipe was contacted immediately to stop the leak and conduct repairs, the area was barricaded to keep vehicles and members of the public away, and the workers were evacuated to a safe distance.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

England | Pub company fined after woman dies from fall

Harborough District Council | A pub company has been fined £240,000 following the death of a woman who visited one of its pubs on 14 May 2023.

Julie Hyatt, 57, died from her injuries in hospital on 26 May 2023, after falling down some stairs at The Langton Arms in Church Langton.

Mrs Hyatt fell into a basement cellar through a door which should have been locked.

Harborough District Council has successfully prosecuted Redcat Retail Pubs Ltd, the pub company which owns The Langton Arms, for failing to comply with health and safety legislation.

After an extensive investigation the council concluded that the business had not assessed the risk to the health and safety of its employees or members of the public. There was no risk assessment in place to cover the access into the basement cellar.

Redcat Retail Pubs Ltd pleaded guilty to one count of breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were ordered to pay £240,000, with a victim surcharge of £2,000 and £43,633.06 in legal costs.

The council has a duty to ensure that licensed premises comply with statutory requirements and can take appropriate enforcement action if required.

Investigating, the HSE found that Aryn Stones Ltd had failed to ensure the structure did not collapse while it was in a state of temporary weakness. The company also failed to put any measures in place to manage the temporary remedial work being carried out on the steel connections. They also failed to take all practicable steps to prevent danger to any person while the building was in a temporary state of weakness.

Aryn Stones Ltd, of Percy Road, London were found guilty of breaching Regulation 19(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £39,000 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn said: “Although two men were seriously injured, it was lucky nobody was killed.

Cat Hartley, Director of Communities and Wellbeing at Harborough District Council, said: “Firstly, we offer our sincere condolences to Mr Hyatt and all of Mrs Hyatt’s family and friends.

“This was a serious breach of health and safety, which regrettably resulted in Mrs Hyatt losing her life. We have worked tirelessly on this investigation to ensure justice for the family.

“All businesses have a legal duty to their customers to ensure the conditions in their premises meet rigorous safety standards. We hope this prosecution sends out a strong message that businesses which fall significantly short of this standard will be brought before the courts.

“Residents and visitors to Harborough district should expect to be safe when they are enjoying any of our licensed hospitality premises.”

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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England | Building firm fined after house collapse injures four

HSE | A London construction company has been fined £50,000 after four men were injured – two seriously – when the first floor of a house collapsed during building works.

Aryn Stones Ltd had been contracted to build a new domestic property in Hampstead. On 31 May 2022, remedial works were being carried out on a partially built beam-and-block floor, when it collapsed, taking two of the workers down with it.

The two men include a welder, who is now 62, and a 31-year-old bricklayer. They both sustained life-changing injuries, while two other men who were standing at ground level were injured by falling concrete.

Work on the build began in March 2021 but by February the following year, engineers who inspected the property identified errors with the connections of the structural steel beams. This prompted the remedial works that led the structure to collapse. That came about when the welder was using an oxyacetylene torch to cut a steel beam supporting the first floor. However, at the same time, another worker had been removing some Acrow props that were supporting the beam.

Investigating, the HSE found that Aryn Stones Ltd had failed to ensure the structure did not collapse while it was in a state of temporary weakness. The company also failed to put any measures in place to manage the temporary remedial work being carried out on the steel connections. They also failed to take all practicable steps to prevent danger to any person while the building was in a temporary state of weakness.

Aryn Stones Ltd, of Percy Road, London were found guilty of breaching Regulation 19(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £39,000 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn said: “Although two men were seriously injured, it was lucky nobody was killed.

“This was a completely avoidable incident had a system for the management of temporary works been in place. The company should have taken precautions to protect people from the risk of collapse.

“Everyone working in construction has a responsibility to ensure that everyone on a building site is safe.”

The investigation was also carried out by HSE inspector Alexander McIlwraith.

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Crockett and supported by HSE Paralegal Officer Sarah Thomas.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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Wales | Herefordshire-based farmer fined for polluting Abergavenny watercourses with soil and silt runoff

Natural Resources Wales | A farmer has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 in fines and costs after a pollution incident near Abergavenny led to soil and silt being discharged into two small watercourses.

Jamie Langford, of J M Langford and Son, based in Herefordshire, pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court to an offence under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

The successful prosecution by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) resulted in Mr. Langford being fined £375 and ordered to pay £3,603.50 in costs to NRW, and a victim surcharge of £150. The level of fine for environmental offences is set by the courts and is based on the level of harm, culpability, and the financial means of the defendants.

The case followed an investigation by NRW officers into a pollution incident that occurred on 12 June 2023, when intense rainfall caused soil runoff from two potato fields being rented and cultivated by J M Langford and Son near Abergavenny.

The heavy downpour washed soil and silt from the recently planted fields into two nearby watercourses, one a tributary of the Mynachdy Brook and the other a tributary of the Nant Gavenny.

The runoff also caused extensive damage to a neighbouring property, including The Copper Kettle Café and adjoining dwellings. That element of the incident is being dealt with separately by insurers.

The court heard that the layout of the potato planting furrows, running directly up and down the slope, allowed rainwater to channel freely down the fields, picking up large volumes of soil.

NRW officers found that better land management, including wider buffer strips or alternative planting patterns, could have significantly reduced the risk of runoff and pollution.

Mr. Langford was sentenced for a Category 3 offence under sentencing guidelines. The judge took into account his good character, lack of previous convictions and the fact there was no financial gain. The court also noted that Mr. Langford was considered an expert farmer and had not been negligent in his actions.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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Sweden | Swedish entrepreneur jailed for environmental crimes

Icenews | Fariba Vancor, a Swedish entrepreneur labeled as the “queen of trash” and the former boss of Think Pink waste management company, has been convicted of 19 serious environmental crimes.

Vancor has been convicted of 19 serious environmental crimes and sentenced to six years in prison for dumping hundreds of thousands of tonnes of toxic waste.

Vancor’s ex-husband, Thomas Nilsson, was also found guilty of 12 serious environmental crimes and sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Judge Niklas Schüllerqvist noted that Think Pink’s dumping had posed great risks to people and the environment.

“Waste management has been deficient or incorrect to a significant extent. It has also caused environmental damage through emissions and, in some cases, great risks to people and the environment,” explained Schüllerqvist. “There is, therefore, no doubt that there have been environmental crimes at the places where the waste has been handled.”

Between 2015 and 2020, Think Pink illegally dumped or buried around 200,000 tonnes of waste in central Sweden.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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Canada | Company fined $330,000 for worker’s heat exposure death

Canadian Occupational Safety | Ontario-based Sofina Foods Inc. has been fined $330,000 following the death of one of its workers in a workplace incident.

 

The incident occurred on 2 March 2023, when 32-year-old Samir Subedi, an Edmonton-based worker, went to check the temperature of a gas-fired smokehouse. The smokehouse had been loaded with meat the previous night, according to a report from The Canadian Press (CP).

Subedi, a superintendent at the workplace, became trapped inside the smokehouse.

It was reported that the smokehouse’s emergency handle, designed to open the door from the inside, was broken. In its place was a door stopper that had not been approved by the company’s engineering team.

A temperature probe in the smokehouse registered a reading of 92°C. A co-worker later found Subedi unconscious inside the smokehouse.

Sofina Foods pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of the worker in Edmonton.

The company has also already paid $500,000 to Subedi’s family, before tax deductions, to help cover the mortgage on their home, according to reports.

Prosecutor Hendrik Kruger told the sentencing hearing that while the company had a comprehensive safety system in place, it failed to monitor compliance and provide proper training regarding the door mechanism.

The prosecutor also asked for 25 other charges against the company to be withdrawn.

Sofina Foods fully cooperated with the Occupational Health and Safety investigation and has since increased staffing in its engineering and health and safety departments following Subedi’s death, according to the report.

— Accurate at time of publication | June 2025

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