News

Industry and government set new bar for workplace health  

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 […]

HSE urges construction companies to strengthen site security

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 […]

Company fined after employee seriously injured by reversing flat-bed truck

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 […]

Risks to workers from extreme heat must be managed

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 […]

“Everyone loved him”; Wife pays tribute to husband killed working at advertising printing company, as firm fined £400,000 for health and safety breaches

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 […]

Uninsured business owner sentenced after man fell through roof

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 […]

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 […]