A paddleboard business owner has been jailed for 10 years and six months for gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of four people in 2021.

Nerys Lloyd, 39, from Aberavon, who was the owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, was charged with the gross negligence manslaughter of Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, following their tragic deaths following the incident in Haverfordwest Town Weir on 30 October 2021.

She admitted all four charges on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, along with one count under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

At her sentencing, the court heard how on 30 October 2021, Lloyd with the assistance of Paul O’Dwyer planned a trip organised through Lloyd’s business.

However, there had been heavy flooding, and severe weather warnings were in place, which were not heeded by Lloyd. The river was running fast, and the weir was in an extremely hazardous condition.  Lloyd did not check the weir or provide a safety briefing to the participants nor inform them of the presence of the weir.  Despite this, Lloyd facilitated the paddleboarders entering the water and she led the group along the river.

As the group approached the weir, apart from Lloyd, all the participants were pulled over the top into its base and became trapped before being ejected from the weir.  Four of the participants survived.

Instructor Mr O’Dwyer, who initially exited the river safely, re-entered the water in an attempt to rescue the others, but was immediately dragged over the top. The four victims died as a result of drowning/immersion.

A joint investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and HSE found that Lloyd was not correctly qualified to lead a stand-up paddle board river tour.

Guidance and training for water sports instructors and participants is available from national sport governing bodies including the British Stand-Up Paddle Association, British Canoeing and the British Kite Surfing Association.  Anyone organising adventure activities for under-18s must be licenced by the Adventure Activities Licencing Authority.

HSE Inspector Helen Turner said: “I would like to express our sincere sympathy to the families of those who died, and to the survivors whose lives are indelibly affected.

“Four lives were needlessly lost and survivors traumatised by their experience at Haverfordwest weir.

“Nerys Lloyd was solely responsible for the decision to enter the water while the river was in flood, and for the attempt to take even inexperienced paddlers over the weir. This was completely reckless and the risk of death was foreseeable.

“The victims placed their trust in Lloyd to deliver a safe and enjoyable paddle, but through her incompetence, carelessness and complacency she failed to plan or assess the obvious risk at the weir or to take even basic safety measures.  By not discussing the hazards on the route Lloyd robbed the participants of the opportunity to make a reasoned decision on their own participation on the day.

“Health and safety law is not a barrier to adventurous activities, which are enjoyed by people every day in safety. Organisers must take proportionate action to recognise and manage real risks.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “Firstly, I would like to reiterate my heartfelt sympathies to the families of Paul, Andrea, Morgan and Nicola.

“The incident that took place in Haverfordwest on October 30, 2021, was an extremely tragic case resulting in the completely avoidable deaths of four people. We heard in court how this incident devastated four families, and we hope that lessons will be learned that prevent this from ever happening again.

“This has been a complex and extensive investigation and I’d like to thank my colleagues at Dyfed-Powys Police, The Health and Safety Executive and the Crown Prosecution Service for their professionalism and diligence to secure this outcome.”

The HSE investigation and enforcement was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Kate Harney and Paralegal Officer Helen Jacob.

Notes to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. HSE guidance on managing health and safety for leisure and sporting activities can be found at Basics for leisure activities.
5. Guidance on Adventure Activities Licensing can be found at Adventure activities licensing – HSE.
6. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

• Two employees diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in July 2023, following repeated exposure to vibration.
• One estimated he used vibrating equipment for 90% of his working day.

A social housing provider has been fined £140,000 following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Stonewater Limited employed two men as estate assistants who worked at various sites near Tanyard Farm in Coventry.

Between 2018 and 2023, their roles required them to undertake ground maintenance activities, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, litter picking and weeding. The extensive use of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, strimmers and hedge cutters exposed both men to vibration. One of the men estimated that he used this equipment for 90% of his working day.

Prolonged and regular exposure to vibration can affect a worker’s health resulting in painful and disabling disorders of the nerves, blood supply, joints and muscles of the hands and arms. These disorders are collectively known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). The risk of onset or worsening of HAVS increases with daily exposure and varies widely between individuals. HSE guidance can be found here.

One of the affected, Christopher Smith, aged 60 from Coventry, said: “I have lost my fine motor skills and experience significant difficulty in picking up small objects, using a knife and fork, or even doing up buttons.

“The pain keeps me up at night.

“I am unable to pick up my younger grandchildren to hold them. It is not only not having the ability to do this, but I am terrified I will drop them, and I don’t trust myself.”

An investigation by HSE found that Stonewater Limited had failed to undertake a risk assessment in relation to vibration. The company did not ensure that vibration exposure was regularly and accurately recorded  to reduce the risks from vibration to as low as practicable. There was also no information, instruction or training provided to the employees on vibration, nor had the company implemented a suitable system of health surveillance.

Stonewater Limited of Enderby Road, Whetstone, Leicester, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,742 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 14 April 2025.

Lead HSE inspector Charlie Rowe said: “This is a tragic case and the fine imposed on Stonewater Limited underlines that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow health and safety regulations extremely seriously.

“HAVS is a serious and disabling health condition and we will not hesitate to take action against employers that fall below the required standard.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers Julian White and Edward Parton, supported by paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
5. HAVS is an occupational disease reportable under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

A defence technology company has been fined £800,000 after an employee was shot during testing of ammunition at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) range in South Wales.

The father-of-two was left paralysed below the shoulders after being shot by a 5.56mm bullet fired from a gun, 570 metres away. The incident happened on 25 March 2021 during a NATO ammunition quality assurance trial at the MoD Ranges in Pendine.

The now 42-year-old’s role had been to check the impact of bullets on a metal target and was in front of the target when the bullet was fired.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found QinetiQ Limited had failed to adequately risk assess the trial activity. As a result they did not have adequate precautions in place to ensure that no one was near the target when the rounds were fired.

• Employers are required by law to protect both their employees and others from harm and assessing the risk is just one part of the overall process and HSE guidance is available to explain what steps should be taken.

QinetiQ Limited of, Cody Technology Park, Ively Road, Farnborough, Hampshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974.  The company was fined £800,000 and ordered to pay £8,365 in costs at Llanelli Magistrates Court on 3 April 2025.

HSE principal specialist inspector Stuart Charles said of the employee: “His life and those of his wife and two children have been devastated by the severe injuries he has suffered.

“Simple and inexpensive steps could have been taken which would have prevented this incident.

“This case shows employers the importance of continually assessing the way they work and not just accepting historical practices.”

The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement Lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
5. HSE guidance about managing and assessing risksis available.

• Schools were closed following hydrochloric acid release  

• Joint investigation and prosecution by HSE and the Environment Agency 

• Guidance is available on maintaining equipment in large chemical plants 

A chemical manufacturing company has been fined £2.5m following two incidents of uncontrolled releases of highly corrosive acids at its site in West Thurrock, Essex.  

Industrial Chemicals Ltd pleaded guilty following the incidents in 2020, one of which caused the release of a hydrogen chloride gas cloud that resulted in schools in the area to close.  

The first incident on 6 January 2020 resulted in an uncontrolled release of hydrochloric acid from three chemical storage tanks. 

Three hundred thousand litres of the substance was released via poorly maintained pipework. As it came into contact with the atmosphere, this created a hydrogen chloride gas cloud which spread to nearby towns. Nearby CCTV footage shows the atmosphere being engulfed in the cloud within 60 seconds.  

Local businesses were affected and schools in West Thurrock and Chafford Hundred were advised to close. Due to the risk to local residents of exposure to the migrating fumes, advice was provided by emergency responders to close windows and doors.  

Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive and hydrogen chloride is a toxic gas. The incident lasted approximately 24 hours. 

On 29 August 2020 another uncontrolled release, this time of sulphuric acid, occurred due to a crack in a pipe. This resulted in the release of 87 cubic metres of sulphuric acid being released into the atmosphere. The valve that was designed to control leaks in the event of cracks did not operate as intended, leading to the uncontrolled release, increasing the risks to operators and delivery drivers.   

Sulphuric acid is highly corrosive and can cause lung damage if high levels are breathed in. 

A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency (EA) into the release of the hydrochloric acid in January 2020 found that pipework had not been installed, maintained and inspected sufficiently which led to several smaller pipe failures before the more serious loss of containment. The investigation found that pipework had not been properly maintained, and a protective chemical-resistant coating had not been applied to the full height of containment walls. 

An investigation by HSE into the release of sulphuric acid in August 2020 identified a lack of inspection and maintenance of the pipework and valves. The leak continued for a further two days due to the inability to operate a manual valve to stop the process.  The loss of containment was eventually stopped on 31 August 2020. Fortunately, no one was harmed. 

Both HSE and industry guidance highlight that work equipment must be maintained in efficient working order and in good repair. Work equipment includes the defective valve and pipework at the site. Suitable and sufficient inspection and maintenance regimes for pipework and valves significantly reduces the likelihood of the loss of containment of dangerous substances to protect both employees, other workers and members of the public from potential harm.   

In relation to the January 2020 incident:  

• Industrial Chemicals Limited of Old Power Station site, Stoneness Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for the loss of containment of hydrochloric acid. 

• Industrial Chemicals Limited also pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching environmental permit conditions in contravention of regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 in that the company did not take appropriate measures to minimise the risk of unauthorised emissions of hydrochloric acid/acid fumes to air and land with the potential to impact receptors offsite including the local community.  

In relation to the August 2020 incident:  

• Industrial Chemicals Limited pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.  

In a hearing at Westminster Combined Court last week (Friday 28 March), the company was fined £2.4 million in relation to charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and a further £100,000 in relation to charges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.  

HSE principal inspector Maria Strangward said: “The uncontrolled release of significant quantities of hazardous substances in these cases was entirely avoidable.  

“An appropriate planned maintenance programme should have been in place to ensure that pipes do not fail, and valves operate. The proactive maintenance of pipework and safety critical valves is extremely important at sites such as these.  

“Industrial Chemicals Limited’s West Thurrock site is classified as an upper tier site under the Control of Major Accident Regulations 2015, so that businesses and communities are protected, and potential major accidents avoided.”  

Adrian Sherman, Environment Agency regulatory officer, said: “The Environment Agency takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously to protect communities and the environment.  

“We expect businesses to comply with their environmental permits and will take appropriate enforcement action when they fail to do so. In this case, an appropriate inspection and maintenance programme could have prevented an environmental and public health risk.”  

The HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement lawyer Samantha Wells, who said: “At the sentencing hearing the judge noted the previous history of poor health and safety standards by this defendant, which included previous incidents relating to poor maintenance of pipework at this site showing a careless attitude to health and safety which was treated as an aggravating factor which uplifted the sentence imposed.”  

The EA prosecution was brought by EA lawyer Laura King. 

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.  
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available. 
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.  
4. Relevant guidance can be found at: Safe use of work equipment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and guidance – L22 and A guide to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) 2015 – L111 
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.   

About the Environment Agency: 

1. The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  
2. We work with businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations. Where businesses fail to meet their obligations, the Environment Agency takes appropriate enforcement action, ranging from guidance and advice to prosecution. Our enforcement work helps ensure a level playing field for legitimate businesses and prevents environmental harm. 
3. Industries with potential to pollute must operate under permits with strict conditions to protect the environment and local communities. 
4. For more information visit www.gov.uk/environment-agency. 

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been fined £250,000 following failures relating to patient falls in its hospitals.

Three elderly patients sustained falls in 2022 and 2023 and they all sadly died. The cause of death of two of them was identified as being as a direct result of falling.

Richard Hughes, 84 and Gwilym Williams, 74, fell at Ysybty Gwynedd in Bangor in January and June 2022 respectively, while Nancy Read, who was 93, fell at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in January 2023.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) was initially investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following two other patient falls in 2020, one of which resulted in fatal injuries.

As a result, HSE took enforcement action against BCUHB that required it to implement an effective patient fall management system, including:

• ensuring patients had appropriate falls risk assessments (with clear risk controls detailed);
• that the risk assessments were reviewed and updated accordingly in the event of a patient’s health deteriorating;
• that staff received training on patient falls.

The enforcement action also required BCUHB to review the patient falls policy and to ensure the entire system worked effectively.  A follow-on inspection made in November 2021 identified that BCUHB were still not managing patient falls and this resulted in a further action being taken.

However, over the next two years, the three patients died and BCUHB had not implemented a system to identify and manage patient falls quickly, or provide staff with updated training.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and have been fined £250,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,766.

Speaking after the case HSE inspector Sarah Baldwin-Jones said “This is the second time this health board has been prosecuted in less than 18 months.

“These incidents could so easily have been avoided had the BCUHB followed their own adult falls policy. Effective management of patient falls includes thorough risk assessment, effective communication on risk management, monitoring and re-evaluation should the patient condition deteriorate.

“Staff and agency workers need to follow the same training pathway, ensuring those responsible for falls management have the skills to make appropriate decisions.

“Unfortunately, these actions were not always followed and as a result some patients suffered falls, which resulted in two preventable deaths.”

The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski and paralegal officer Sarah Thomas.

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

• Thirteen foot fall caused brain haemorrhage and multiple fractures
• Barn roof also contained asbestos
• HSE guidance is available for working at height

A self-employed builder has been told to complete 200 hours unpaid work after a man fell more than 13 feet through a barn roof in Lancashire.

James Dargan-Cole, 25, of Todmorden, had failed to put arrangements in place to either avoid the working at height completely or prevent a fall while doing so.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jacob Thomas, who was a self-employed labourer, suffered serious injuries at Great House Farm, Great House Road, on 13 April 2023. The incident happened during his first day on the job, when he had been removing wooden boarding behind the roof of a lower barn structure. Mr Thomas took a step and fell through one of the skylights to the floor below. His horrific injuries included a brain haemorrhage as well as multiple fracturs including to his skull, the sternum, the spine and the shoulder.

• Working at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has detailed guidance on working safely at height.

An investigation by HSE found that as well as failing to consider the work at height, the roof in question also contained asbestos fibres. Dargan-Cole lacked the understanding of the risks and the associated controls to manage the risks whilst dismantling the lower barn structure.

HSE’s campaign “Asbestos and You” reminds tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos and the importance of working safely with it. Asbestos can be found in buildings built before 2000 and is still the biggest workplace killer in Britain, causing around 5,000 deaths every year. When disturbed, asbestos releases tiny fibres that can cause fatal lung diseases and cancers. More information can be found at: Asbestos & You – Work Right to keep Britain safe.

James Dargan-Cole, of Eastwood Road, Todmorden, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was handed a 12 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work in the community and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 1 April 2025.

Principal inspector Paul Thompson from HSE said: “Mr Thomas suffered horrific injuries due to the failure to ensure protective fall prevention or collective fall mitigation measures were in place. These are well known and long standing within the industry.

“This incident came about as a result of poor planning, management and monitoring of activities during work at height. I hope this case serves as an example and a reminder to others about the potential deadly risks they often undertake and how they should be approached.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds, who was supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Guidance on working safely at height and working with asbestos is available.
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

A company and its director have been fined a combined £18,000 after a man was injured during excavation work in West Sussex.

JHE Construction and Jordan Hay-Ellis pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws following the incident on 23 February 2023.

The company had been contracted to complete a full barn conversion, which included the installation of a new septic tank. In order to install the tank, workers had to dig an excavation approximately three metres deep. Edward Keely, 30, along with two other men, had been tasked with doing the work at Lone Oak Farm.

The three men were in the hole preparing to install a concrete base for the septic tank to sit on when the walls collapsed.  Mr Keely was struck by falling soil which resulted in multiple bone fractures and required for him to be dug out.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that inadequate precautions had been taken to prevent the collapse of the excavation, yet the men were expected to work in it.

HSE guidance advises that all work of this nature should be correctly planned, including whether any temporary support structures should be used. This may also include battering the excavation sides to make it safer. You can read more about HSE guidance here.

JHE Construction Limited, of Icarus Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 22 (1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.  The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £2,612 in costs at Brighton Magistrates Court on 24 March 2025.

Jodran Hay-Ellie, 33, of Icarus Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 22 (1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Nathan Kent said: “The risk associated with excavation collapse is well understood within the construction industry and this incident was easily foreseeable.

“All excavation work should be supported or battered back.

“Failure to do so in this case resulted in a young man sustaining very serious injuries.

“HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all they can to keep people safe.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Relevant guidance on excavations is available.
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) campaign aimed at preventing or combatting stress in the workplace has welcomed a new partner ahead of stress awareness month in April. 

Healthy Working Wales has become the 36th organisation to join Working Minds as part of its mission to improve the health of employees across Wales. 

In 2023/24, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures revealed that in Wales alone there are an estimated 49,000 work-related stress, depression or anxiety cases annually – equating to 800k working days lost. 

Kayleigh Roberts, work-related stress policy lead at HSE, has welcomed the addition of Healthy Working Wales to help businesses access important information and tools they require.    

She said: “Our statistics show that work-related stress affects many people across Great Britain and just like any other risk to health, employers have a legal duty to protect workers by including work-related stress in their risk assessment and acting on it.  

“Failing to manage stress at work can lead to reduced productivity, sickness absence, or even losing valued members of the team if they are not well enough to stay in work. Our Working Minds campaign has all the resources you need to understand what’s required and to get proactive on prevention.” 

Healthy Working Wales is a free programme that aims to improve health and prevent ill-health among the working age population in Wales.  

Oliver Williams, consultant in public health and lead for Healthy Working Wales, said: “Partnering with HSE allows us to support Welsh businesses in understanding the benefits of taking action on employee health and wellbeing. Managing work-related stress effectively not only enhances workforce wellbeing but also improves performance and reduces absence. 

Through initiatives like our recent joint webinar—where 82% of attendees reported feeling ready to implement their learnings—we are equipping employers with practical steps to create healthier workplaces. Together, we are committed to helping organisations create safe, supportive environments where employees can thrive.” 

To watch the Healthy Working Wales and HSE webinar visit HSE’s YouTube page. 

webinar: Stress and mental health at work – what Welsh businesses need to know 

Or, watch a version of the webinar with Welsh language subtitles on YouTube. 

To help employers to prevent stress and support workers’ mental health, HSE launched the Working Minds campaign in November 2021, providing free resources for employers and managers. 

Working Minds hinges on five simple steps based on risk assessment. They are to reach out and have conversations, recognise the signs and causes of stress, respond to any risks you’ve identified, reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken, and make it routine. 

There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Factors like skills and experience, age, or disability may all affect someone’s ability to cope. 

HSE has a free online learning tool for businesses with over 12,000 people already registered with over 90% saying it was easy to use and felt they could implement what they learned in their organisation. 

Helpful resources: 

• register for our free online learning 

• download a risk assessment template 

Further information: 

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives. 
2. During Stress Awareness Month this April, employers and managers are being invited to support the campaign and complete the five steps of Working Minds over the course of the month. To read more about HSE’s Working Minds campaign click here. 
3. To read more about Healthy Working Wales click here. 
4. No matter whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, the law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress to support good mental health in the workplace.   
5. For press and media enquiries please contact media.enquiries@hse.gov.uk. 

• Man fell through fragile roof in Dudley.
• Company, now in liquidation, does not escape criminal sanction
• Detailed guidance on both working on fragile surfaces and working at height is available from HSE.

A company and its operations manager have both been fined after a man fell to his death through a roof at its site in Dudley.

Maciej Rozanski, who was 42, had been working to remove a redundant steel cleaning machine from the company’s Sovereign Works site on Deepdale Lane, on 29 June 2018. However, during the work, Mr Rozanski stepped onto a fragile roof and fell more than 20 feet to the floor below. He suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surface Technik (Old Hill) Limited, which is now in liquidation, was found guilty following a trial earlier this week, while Robert Hammond had already entered a guilty plea, but disputed he was responsible for health and safety at the site. This prosecution was brought following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE investigation found that the company began the work to remove the machinery in December 2017 and that project was led by Robert Hammond. The steel cleaning machine was housed in a corrugated steel tower on the side of the main production building which required partial dismantling in order to remove the machine. On the day of the incident, Mr Rozanski and another employee were tasked with the dismantling works. Once at the top of the tower they used an angle grinder to remove bolts holding the corrugated steel plates in place. It was during this activity that Mr Rozanski fell to his death.

There was no suitable and sufficient risk assessment made for the work at height activities.  The work to remove corrugated steel sheets from the disused tower was carried out at height, near to a fragile roof surface without suitable access equipment or safe working practices.  The work was not properly organised, planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner and the employees were not trained for working at height when the incident occurred.

• HSE has detailed guidance on working safely at height and also when working on or near fragile surfaces.

Surface Technik (Old Hill) Limited formerly of Deepdale Lane, Dudley was found guilty by a jury of a breach of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £28,956 at a hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on 21 March 2025.

Robert Hammond of Sutton Coldfield accepted that he did not take reasonable care for the health and safety of both employees when he pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Mr Hammond was fined £8,500 and pay the same amount in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Smewin said “Working from height remains a leading cause of workplace death and injury.

“This case highlights the risks of working at height from or near to fragile roof surfaces and the importance of a risk assessment, proper planning, training and supervision of work at height and the use of suitable access equipment to ensure that the work can be carried out safely.

“It also demonstrates that placing a company into liquidation is no bar to prosecution.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Andrew Siddall and paralegal officer Gabrielle O’Sullivan.

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Work at height – HSE; Fragile surfaces – HSE
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
6. HSE will always carefully consider any insolvency process and weigh that against the public interest of prosecuting a company that breaks the law.
7. If necessary, we will take steps to prevent a company from being dissolved whilst criminal proceedings are ongoing.

A Scottish local authority has been fined more than £13,000 after a carbon monoxide leak at a primary school in Bishopbriggs.

East Dunbartonshire Council pleaded guilty following the incident at Balmuildy Primary School in February 2020.  A number of staff and pupils attending the school on 19 February 2020 reported feeling ill, experiencing symptoms such as headaches and nausea. Throughout the day, several pupils were sent home and staff had to take medication to relieve symptoms. The following day, testing for a gas leak revealed high levels of carbon monoxide present in areas of the school. The building was immediately evacuated.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in conjunction with Gas Safe Register investigators, found that one of the two auxiliary gas boilers present at the site was leaking carbon monoxide into the boiler room and the school buildings. The investigation found this was due to a lack of maintenance.

Had the faults with the boiler been found prior to the incident through the required routine maintenance, it would have been classed as immediately dangerous in line with the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GUSP). This would have necessitated the disconnection of the gas boiler until the boiler was repaired for further use.

HSE provides free guidance to dutyholders: Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances. The guidance states that effective maintenance of appliances usually involves an ongoing programme of regular/periodic inspections, together with any necessary remedial work.

In the absence of specific manufacturers’ instructions, effective maintenance should include as a minimum:

• examination of the physical condition and safe functioning of appliance(s);
• installation pipework;
• ventilation and any flue for deterioration;
• carrying out performance tests; and
• taking the necessary remedial action.

East Dunbartonshire Council of Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 35 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. The council was fined £13,333 plus a victim surcharge of £999.98 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 20 March 2025.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Stuart Easson, said: “This is the second time in five years that East Dunbartonshire Council have been handed a significant fine for failing to protect employees and children at a primary school under their control.”

“Although nobody suffered any serious adverse effects during this incident, we hope that this prosecution demonstrates that HSE will not hesitate to take action and that failures of this nature are simple not acceptable.”

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here: Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances.
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.