News

Skip manufacturer fined £30,000 after failing to protect workers from carcinogenic fumes.

Samson Containers Ltd left welders exposed to cancer-causing fumes without ventilation or protective equipment. Company failed to act on two separate HSE improvement notices issued in September 2024 and February 2025. Company also failed to provide health surveillance to monitor the hearing of their employees exposed to high levels of noise. A Lancashire manufacturer of […]

Handyman sentenced after illegal boiler fitting caused gas leak posing ‘immediate danger to life’

Dangerous boiler installation led to gas leak which ‘could easily have caused an explosion’. Tenant in Birmingham property realised unregistered handyman Jaroslaw Mazan had lied about being on the Gas Safe Register. Unqualified gas work can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning. A self-employed handyman has been sentenced after carrying out […]

Two firms fined after worker fractures neck during platform collapse

Temporary wooden platforms collapsed during refurbishment project in City of London Steve Zschoch, 60, described being ‘folded up like a concertina’ and has not been able to work since. HSE guidance is clear temporary structures must be designed, installed and maintained to withstand any foreseeable loads. Two construction companies have been fined after a drilling […]

Esso fined £1 million after major gas leak at Fawley refinery

Structural collapse caused release of around 2,400kg of highly flammable liquid petroleum gas. HSE investigation found long-standing corrosion of steel tower was not dealt with. Workers exposed to risk of serious injury and burns in major incident. Esso has been fined £1 million after a major gas leak at Fawley Oil Refinery in Hampshire, following […]

Britain’s health and safety regulator to create its first ever joint industry guidance for collaborative robotics in the workplace

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) are working together, along with government and industry, to support the safe and responsible adoption of robotics in the workplace. The project, launched today, 10 June 2026, at London Tech Week, has been co-designed with industry to give companies clarity on regulatory requirements, […]

CCTV footage captures harrowing moment worker falls through roof  

Scaffolder suffered a broken arm, leg and head injury after falling through skylight  Principal contractor failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the roof work  Skylight was ‘almost invisible’ to workers   Two construction companies have been fined £79,300 after a scaffolder broke his arm, leg and suffered head lacerations after falling through a roof skylight while installing temporary scaffolding edge protection at a warehouse in Yorkshire.  James Cranswick, 26, was installing temporary scaffolding edge protection for Clover Access Systems Limited at […]

HSE science team helps power world-first hydrogen aviation breakthrough

Britain’s health and safety regulator is part of a landmark project that could transform air travel, and shows how safety expertise drives innovation, not holds it back. Scientists at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have helped deliver a major milestone in hydrogen-powered flight, in partnership with Rolls-Royce – after the successful test of the […]

Waste and recycling company fined after worker death

Stuart Garnet, 44, was fatally struck by a reversing telehandler at a Cumbria-based waste company An HSE investigation found H. Wicks (Lindal) Limited failed to ensure pedestrians and vehicles could circulate safely on site A waste company in Cumbria has been fined £60,000 after an employee was hit and killed by a reversing telehandler in […]

Worker burned after Shell safety failures triggered violent propane release at Firth of Forth terminal

The incident occurred in the early hours of 1 November 2018 at Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal, Firth of Forth, Fife. Flammable vapour cloud have resulted in a catastrophic explosion if ignited. Vladimir Volkov was treated at hospital and subsequently repatriated to Russia, where he received further treatment. He is understood to have returned to work. […]

Siemens fined £600,000 after employee left paralysed at site in Hull

Employee suffered serious, life-changing injuries following incident at Siemens Gamesa site HSE investigation found serious failures in systems of work Siemens Gamesa has been fined following an incident in which an employee suffered serious, life-changing injuries at a site in Hull. On 18 July 2024, a 37-year-old woman was carrying out work as part of […]

Machine manufacturing company fined after employee’s fingers crushed during lifting operation

Employee suffered serious injuries after hand became trapped beneath three-tonne machine during lifting operation. HSE investigation found lifting operation had not been properly planned or carried out safely. Worker later underwent surgery to amputate two damaged fingers. A machine manufacturing company in Shepshed, Leicestershire has been fined £170,000 after an employee’s fingers were crushed when […]