News

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has authorised a Crown Censure of the Ministry of Defence, and the prosecution of defence contractor Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land Ltd. This action follows an investigation into a fatal tank explosion in Pembrokeshire in 2017 which killed two soldiers and left a third seriously injured. Corporal Darren Neilson, 31, […]

126 workers died in work-related incidents in 2025/26 New analysis comparing rates of fatal injury in workers from a wide range of countries from around the world supports Great Britain’s position as one of the safest places in the world to work 2,146 mesothelioma deaths in 2024 through past exposure to asbestos Great Britain continues to be one of the […]

Bricklayer fell more than two metres through an unguarded gap in a balustrade into a basement lightwell. No scaffolding or other protective measures were in place before employees began work. HSE found company failed to carry out a task-specific risk assessment or method statement for the work. A construction company has been fined after a […]

20-tonne tipper truck fell off edge of excavation ramp The driver of the truck suffered multiple injuries The joint HS2 venture set up by Skanska Construction UK Limited, Costain Limited and Strabag AG A joint venture working on the HS2 rail project has been fined after the driver of a 20-tonne tipper truck was injured […]

Man critically injured after side wall of excavation collapsed Work was not planned, managed or monitored Incident not reported to HSE until two months later The sole director of a London-based construction company has been sentenced after a 50-year-old worker was left with life-changing injuries. James Harper, who was the sole director of Cavendish Basements […]

Antonio Rodrigues, 55, fell from a scaffold platform through an unglazed window Lima Construction Limited was principal contactor at a redevelopment site in south west London Falls from height remain leading cause of workplace injury and death A construction company has been fined after one of its employees was killed when he fell through an unglazed window […]

HSE serves first Prohibition Notices as part of nationwide health and safety inspection campaign Enforcement action taken to protect workers from deadly silica dust Four companies ordered to stop work after visits from HSE inspectors It comes after guidance issued telling industry to stop dry-cutting engineered stone Four companies have been ordered to stop working […]

A new framework has been launched to raise the standards of physical and mental health at work, within the chemicals and major hazards industries.  The new Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership have been officially launched today (24 June) at the House of Lords at an event hosted by Lord Ian McNicol and sponsored by Baroness Brenda […]

As school holidays approach, construction companies across the region are being urged to take additional precautions to keep children safe this summer. While rare, children have tragically lost their lives, and others have been injured, after making their way on to unsecure and unsafe construction sites. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is calling on […]

Employee sustained life-changing injuries when struck by a reversing vehicle. HSE investigation found the workplace did not have proper measures to separate vehicles and pedestrians. Nearly one in four workplace vehicle incidents involving reversing – HSE guidance advises setting up one-systems to remove the need for reversing. A landscaping and civil engineering company has been […]

Heat health alert issued until Thursday 25 June Employers have legal duties to protect workers from extreme heat Workers should talk to their employer if the temperature isn’t comfortable Employers need to act now to make sure their workers are protected as a heat health alert has been issued for parts of the country until […]

Maintenance worker killed while attempting to repair an industrial overhead door. HSE found company failed to maintain doors – despite two previous incidents – and lack of regular inspection had led to deterioration Employee killed found not to have been given suitable training to carry out high-risk repairs Company fined £400,000 after pleading guilty to […]

Gary Saville instructed man to carry out roof work but wasn’t insured in the event of injury. Jacob Black, 31, fell through skylight and was taken to hospital by air ambulance. The roof work was carried out without any control measures in place. An uninsured business owner from Lancashire has been given a suspended prison […]

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 […]

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 […]

Colin Thwaites, who had spent his entire career in mining, died working for Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited. Lochaline mine is the only underground quartz sand mine in Europe. Mr Thwaites was struck by the blades of a fan which wasn’t sufficiently well-guarded The operator of Europe’s only quartz sand mine has been fined after an […]

18-year-old’s foot slipped into unguarded conveyor HSE investigation found no suitable risk assessment in place SRCL Limited fined £300,150 A company providing clinical waste management services has been fined after an 18-year-old employee sustained serious injuries while loading a bin conveyor. The young man was working for SRCL Limited at its site in Oldham on […]

Albert Xhediku, 34, had been playing football with friends in Portsmouth. He was electrocuted by a floodlight as he climbed a fence to retrieve the ball. Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd failed to act on previous incident just weeks before. A leisure facilities management company has been fined after a man was electrocuted while playing football […]

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 […]

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 […]