70 firms told to improve following inspection blitz

More than 70 firms across West Yorkshire have been told to make safety improvements to protect their workers after an intensive two-week inspection initiative.

Nearly 450 companies across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield were visited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authority officers. Common faults identified included:

• Flammable liquids not being stored properly,
• Missing or inadequate guards around machines, and
• Uncontrolled exposure to fumes from welding

Eight of the visits resulted in Prohibition Notices being served – meaning work activities had to be stopped and action taken before the work was allowed to continue.

In addition 63 premises were served with Improvement Notices that require businesses to correct or improve failings within a given timescale or risk further enforcement action.

One firm in Kirklees is under further investigation and could be prosecuted as a result of the serious dangers uncovered by Inspectors. HSE Principal Inspector David Green said:

“Despite making companies in the target areas aware in advance that we were carrying out inspections we did still find a significant number of unsafe working practices that put employees at risk of illness or injury.

“We always prefer to offer guidance and advice to business to help them operate within the law but we will take enforcement action when we find the health and safety of employees are being put at risk.”