West Yorkshire recycling company fined £120,000 after worker injured by 300kg batteries
A recycling company in West Yorkshire has been fined £120,000 after batteries weighing at least 300kg fell onto an employee and severely injured him.
The man was working with two colleagues at Wastecare Limited’s site on North Dean Business Park, Halifax when he was struck by the batteries being recycled on 22 March 2019.
The three workers had been restacking the batteries that were stored in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) after it had toppled over.
However, the FIBCs started to rip in front of them leading to the batteries falling on to one of the workers.
He suffered a double compound fracture to his lower right leg, a fracture to the left tibia, a fractured right collar bone, some bruising to his ribs and a cut on his forehead.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Wastecare Limited failed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its employees at work. The site was overstocked, bags of batteries had been stacked in an unsafe manner and there was no specific documented risk assessments or safe systems of work for the correct stacking and storage of batteries. This was not an isolated incident.
HSE guidance says FIBCs must not be stacked unless the FIBC is designed to be stacked and only then should it be stacked in either a pyramid form or against two walls.
Wastecare Limited, of Normanton Industrial Estate, Normanton, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £4,937.39 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 21 February 2024.
HSE inspector Jackie Ferguson said: “There are specific Industry Standards and Guidance relating to Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) which provides users with information on a range of aspects relating to their use including filling, discharging, handling and storage.
“This incident could so easily have been avoided by implementing simple control measures and safe working practices to ensure the batteries were stacked safely and securely. The industry should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Crockett and supported by HSE paralegal officer Stephen Parkinson.
Lilly strengthens Hull-based family law team
Lilly Walker has joined law firm Rollits as an additional Senior Solicitor in its family law team.
She joins Alison Benson, Partner and Head of Family, and Senior Solicitor Sarah Wasling in the family law team.
Alison said: “Our expert teams have supported clients needing help through all types of family law matters for more than 180 years and Lilly’s appointment helps us ensure that we continue to tailor our services specifically to the needs of all clients.
“That applies to private and personal matters and to the corporate environment. In family and owner managed businesses, operations can be intertwined with relationships and undoubtedly family problems can affect the business if they are not properly managed.”
The family law team, which has almost 40 years of shared experience of divorce and separation matters, is based at Rollits’ head office in High Street, Hull.
Red Sea disruption causes severe headaches for UK businesses
Increases in costs and delivery times caused by shipping disruption in the Red Sea are causing headaches for UK businesses according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce.
Issues cited by firms included increased costs, with some reporting rises of 300% for container hire, and logistical delays, adding up to three to four weeks to delivery times. Firms also said this was creating knock-on effects such as cashflow difficulties and component shortages on production lines.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This research gives us immediate insight into the impact of Red Sea disruption on UK businesses.
“There has been spare capacity in the shipping freight industry to respond to the difficulties, which has bought us some time. And recent ONS data also indicates the impact has yet to filter through to the UK economy, with inflation holding steady in January.
“But our research suggests that the longer the current situation persists, the more likely it is that the cost pressures will start to build.
“Certain sectors of the economy are obviously more exposed to this than others. But with the recent introduction of the Government’s new customs checks and procedures for imports also adding to costs and delays, it is a difficult time for firms.
“The UK economy saw a drop in its total good exports for 2023, and with global demand weak, there is a need for the Government to look at providing support in the March Budget.
“We are calling for the establishment of an Exports Council to hone the UK’s trade strategy and a review of the effectiveness of government funding for export support.
“Overseas trade is vital to growing our economy. We must do everything we can to see businesses through these tough times, and then set a laser-sharp focus on expanding exports for the future.”
Sainsbury’s signs up as third retailer to back nation’s farmers with ‘buy British’ web tab
The move follows an open letter written by Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans to the chief executives of eight major supermarkets asking for a filter which would direct shoppers to homegrown food to help boost the economy and cut the UK’s carbon footprint.
The letter was was co-signed by 125 cross-party MPs, and echoed a long-standing NFU ask dating back to 2016.
Simon Roberts, CEO at Sainsbury’s, said: “Many of our customers want to support British suppliers and make more conscious choices when doing their food shop, and our new Buy British webpage helps them to do just that through a curation of over 450 quality, 100% locally sourced products.
“We recognise the pressures that British farmers are facing and the importance of supporting them to maintain a resilient UK food system for the long term. Our relationships with farmers and suppliers are incredibly important to us and we remain committed to sourcing British as much as we can, now and in the future.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said it was fantastic to see supermarkets getting behind Dr Evans’ campaign. He said: “I’m delighted that Sainsbury’s is also backing British farmers by adding a British section online in order to signpost shoppers to home-grown produce.Our own independent research shows the public want to buy more British food from retailers and we have been championing this issue for some time.”
SMEs get strong voice on Government’s Small Business Council
The membership of the new Small Business Council was unveiled ahead of its first meeting, as the Government reaffirms its commitment to the UK’s 5.6m SMEs. Chaired by Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake, the Council will work alongside the Prime Minister’s Business Council to tackle the key issues facing small firms who will be given new levels of access direct to government.
Almost every business in the country is a small business (99.9%) who in turn support 27 million jobs across the UK, accounting for £4.5 trillion of annual turnover. Almost every billion-pound company, tech giant or multinational corporation started off as small business, which is why this Council has been formed, to help support and nurture the next generation of small firms to thrive and grow.
Tina McKenzie said: “This new council is important because it will bring what’s happening at the front line of British business, from our 5.5 million small business owners, right into the heart of Government.
“Alongside No.10’s existing corporate Business Council, the new body will shine a light on the unique challenges small firms face on areas such as finance, regulation and skills. FSB is pleased to join it, and we hope to focus on how to reignite economic growth across our community.
Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Small firms are at the heart of our communities and the engine of our economy – which is why the work of this council is so important. My own experience of working in a small business has given me crucial insights to the problems that SMEs face on a daily basis, from barriers to growth or access to finance.
“We’re giving small firms a big voice, so they can directly air their concerns to government without delay – only when we work together can we tackle some of the burning issues SMEs are facing – only then can we help boost jobs and grow the economy.”
Lighting contractor completes 89,000 streetlight bulb swaps in Leeds
Leeds City Council’s street lighting partner Enerveo, working as a subcontractor to Tay Valley Lighting, has completed a £22.5m streetlight bulb swap project that began in 2018 and involved changing 89,000 bulbs.
The company has installed LEDs, which is expected to yield annual savings of about £3.4 million in electricity costs at current energy prices. Additionally, the conversion to LED lighting is projected to reduce street lighting energy consumption by about 62%, resulting in 7,050 tonnes of carbon savings, with savings already being made throughout the lamp replacement.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, attended the installation of the final LED light on Edith Sykes Drive in east Leeds this week, marking the conclusion of the project. Councillor Hayden said: “The completion of the LED Lighting Scheme represents a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in Leeds. This investment will deliver immediate cost savings and lay the groundwork for future advancements in smart technology”
Tom Cunningham, Tay Valley Lighting (Leeds) Director, said: “This investment has provided many benefits, including local employment opportunities during the period, reducing energy consumption and maintenance activities, resulting in significant cost savings to Leeds City Council and carbon reduction impact from the project”.
ABP appoints its first-ever Capital Projects Director
Port operator ABP has appointed Francis Paonessa to a newly-created role of Capital Projects Director to strengthen focus on growth and delivery of its pipeline of strategic developments.
He’ll be overseeing a number of major projects including the Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal to significantly expand UK-EU freight ferry capacity and the same port’s Green Energy Terminal for the handling of green hydrogen, ammonia and sequestrated carbon.
Mr Paonessa will be part of the senior Executive Team and report directly to the Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP’s CEO. The role will also assume responsibility for the corporate Engineering function, allowing the Capital Projects Director to have an end-to-end focus on engineering strategy and assurance.
Francis will join ABP in April from Thames Water, where he has led a portfolio of projects with an annual investment of up to £1bn per year. Before that he was MD of Infrastructure Projects at Network Rail, where he headed up the UK’s largest portfolio of capital projects.
Mr Pedersen said: “ABP has an exciting pipeline of transformative and complex major projects to substantially expand both our trade handling and green energy enabling activities. The time is right to create a new role at the Executive Team level of the company, bringing focus and experience to what will be key growth engines for ABP. I’m delighted that Francis Paonessa has decided to join us on our growth journey. Francis brings deep expertise in strategic project delivery across a number of highly relevant infrastructure sectors.”
Mr Paonessa said: “I’m excited to be joining ABP and working with the team to make a whole portfolio of significant projects a reality. I’ve been really impressed by the vision and ambition ABP has to grow, not only in their core role of providing the UK’s main gateways for trade, but also through their rapidly expanding role as providers and enablers of infrastructure for the UK’s energy transition. It’s a great time to involved and I can’t wait to get started.”
ABP is a consistent investor in its ports and associated assets. This investment – around £750 million in the last five years – has been maintained despite challenges such as the Pandemic and global supply chain disruption.
Parliamentarians visit British Steel at Scunthorpe
In two separate visits Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, to British Steel, and Sarah Jones, Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation, have visited British Steel at Scunthorpe.
Both toured the site and discussed decarbonisation plans.
British Steel says that whilst decarbonisation is a major challenge for the business, it remains committed to transforming itself into a green and sustainable company, believing electrification will provide a rapid and sustainable solution to the decarbonisation challenge in addition to providing support for sustainable employment.
Owners Jingye have already invested £330m in British Steel in less than four years and say they are committed to the unprecedented investment decarbonisation requires.
Levelling Up Funding supports £2m Hammonds of Hull refurb
Almost £2 million of private capital is to be invested into the former Hammonds of Hull building as part of an extensive transformation.
Redefine Paragon Square Hull Limited’s project is being supported by Levelling Up Funding (LUF) and has been awarded £315,000 for the refurbishment of 1 Paragon Square.
The grant has come from LUF monies given to Hull City Council for city centre regeneration by the government’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing, Communities.
The application is to facilitate the repurposing of the basement, third and fourth floors of the building to allow for a mix of additional office space and event space.
The total project cost is estimated around £2,233,161, meaning over £1.91 million of private capital is to be invested by the applicant.
Refurbishment of 1 Paragon Square will bring back into use 3,340.9 sqm of vacant and unused floor space.
Part of the plans also include a rooftop terrace for tenant use.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration at the council, said: “This is a significant investment into one of the most iconic buildings in Hull city centre.
“We have already seen the success of ResQ in the former Hammonds of Hull building, thanks to support from LUF.
“However, there is still so much potential to unlock and this latest LUF grant, along with almost £2 million of private investment, will help to do that.”
Construction consultancy hires experienced MD to help it grow into a ‘Northern Powerhouse’
The new Managing Director of a construction consultancy has vowed to help keep the firm “punching above its weight.”
With decades of industry experience, James Redmayne has joined Zinc Consult after being won over by the firm’s ambition and workplace culture.
Launched almost a decade ago by former Network Rail colleagues Michael Phillips and Jonathan Blenkey, Zinc Consult provides a range of consultancy services with a specialist focus on the rail sector.
During the past ten years, the Leeds-based firm has expanded its footprint by establishing itself as a northern powerhouse in the industry – with bases in Glasgow, Birmingham and Teesside.
Having joined following an 11 year stint leading the regional rail team for the global consultancy Arcadis, James is confident he can tap into his vast experience to continue Zinc Consult’s rapid growth.
“I’ve known and worked with Zinc Consult for over five years, and over that time I’ve developed a deep trust and respect for the owners and management team, which made joining an easy decision,” said James, who has previously worked in major projects for the likes of Network Rail, London Underground and the National Grid.
“I know the firm’s strengths and I’ve been incredibly impressed with the refreshing workplace culture – everyone within the business has a voice and is listened to.
“This business wants to succeed, and it wants the staff to succeed. My aim is to strengthen the foundations so we can explore new areas and opportunities to do just that.
“One of our biggest strengths is that our size…means we can be more agile and flexible towards our customers’ needs, which some of the bigger firms can’t match. But at the same time, Zinc Consult keeps punching above its weight, and I’m thrilled to be in a role that will help the company continue to do so.”
Having spent 28 years as a quantity surveyor, James has worked his way into senior management positions from the bottom-up, having started as a junior. By the age of 35 he was an associate director and sought out the MD role in order to help “grow himself” as a leader.
According to Zinc Consult’s co-founder Jonathan Blenkey, the addition of James to the leadership team is “a real coup.”
“James has brought with him decades of invaluable experience and he’s already made some incredibly positive improvements to the business,” he said.
Co-founder Michael Philips added: “We are all delighted that James has joined Zinc Consult, and we expect him to play a vital role in our continued growth.
“Our business is built around delivering a quality service on time and to budget, and we know James will help to maintain those core values.”
