News

NHS Trust fined after it failed to manage hand-arm vibration risks

NHS Trust fined £40,000 after several employees developed serious and irreversible hand-arm vibration-related conditions. The court heard how failures to assess and control vibration exposure left staff at risk of lifelong ill health. One long-serving employee described losing her career, independence and financial security as a result. An NHS Trust has been fined £40,000 after […]

Health and Safety Executive inspecting chiropractors to assess radiation compliance

HSE inspecting compliance under Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.  Regulator launches video explaining inspection guidance.  Inspections taking place across Great Britain.  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is conducting an inspection campaign targeting chiropractors who use radiation generators. The regulator’s inspections will assess dutyholders’ compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17), which protect employees and other persons from […]

Director and company fined after failing to comply with enforcement notices

A North London construction director and his company were fined for failing to comply with multiple HSE enforcement notices Inspectors identified repeated safety failings at a residential conversion site, including work at height risks and inadequate site management HSE guidance on managing health and safety in construction is available A construction company director and his […]

Graham Farrant appointed to HSE Board

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State, has confirmed the appointment of Graham Farrant as a new non-executive director on the board of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Graham will bring a wealth of experience from local government and public sector to help HSE continue to deliver its mission: Protecting People and Places. On his […]

Engineering firm fined £27,200 after endangering workers

HSE inspection found poor control of metalworking fluids on CNC machines. Workers were put at risk of ill-health including dermatitis, asthma and other respiratory conditions. The firm failed to comply with Improvement Notices issued by HSE inspectors. An engineering firm in Bedfordshire has been fined £27,200 after poor management of safety put employees at risk […]

Unregistered gas fitter sentenced after carrying out illegal work

Illegal gas work carried out on a house in Torquay leaving an ‘immediately dangerous’ situation Investigation found multiple failings left by unregistered gas fitter HSE encourage householders to check the Gas Safe Register for qualified professionals An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work at a house in Torquay that […]

Father and son sentenced for carrying out illegal gas work

Work carried out on two properties in Northwich. One boiler illegal installed was found to be dangerous. Failures could have been catastrophic for homeowners. An unregistered gas installer and his father have been sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work at two houses in Cheshire. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found […]

Offshore process isolation failures present major accident hazard risk

Isolation failures are one of the main causes of hydrocarbon releases on offshore installations on the UK Continental Shelf. These are not minor incidents – many have the potential to cause serious injury, fatalities or major accidents if ignited. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continues to find serious failings during inspections and investigations, which […]

Construction company fined after worker crushed by collapsing wall

Worker critically injured after wall collapsed into excavation. Temporary works were not designed, planned or managed. HSE guidance on temporary works is available. A construction company has been fined £100,000 after a steel-fixer was seriously injured when a newly built blockwork wall collapsed at a site in Poole. Matrod Frampton Limited pleaded guilty at Bristol […]

Cheshire-based property developer fined £45,000 for multiple construction site failures

Company fined for serious health and safety failures at a Manchester construction site The company repeatedly failed to improve standards or fulfil principal contractor duties. Free guidance on managing health and safety in construction is available A Cheshire property developer has been fined £45,000 after the Health and Safety Executive found multiple failures at a […]

Buncefield 20 years on: Turning lessons into safer industry practices

Two decades after one of Europe’s largest industrial incidents, the legacy of Buncefield continues to shape safety standards across the UK’s major hazards sector This week marks 20 years since the Buncefield explosion in Hertfordshire – one of the largest industrial incidents in Europe and the UK’s largest peacetime explosion. The incident In the early […]

Tree specialists fined after worker falls from height

Worker suffered life-altering back injuries after falling from a MEWP basket. HSE found the company failed to plan, supervise or safely carry out work at height. AP Tree Specialists Ltd fined £20,000; director fined £1,000. An arboriculture company based in Derby has been fined £20,000 after an employee suffered life-altering back injuries when he fell […]

A matter of life and death: why businesses must check their bins

Every winter, as temperatures drop, some of Britain’s most vulnerable citizens seek shelter wherever they can find it. For rough sleepers, a large commercial waste bin might seem like temporary refuge from the cold. But this desperate act of survival can quickly become a death trap. In May 2024, Vitalij Maceljuch, 36, climbed into a […]