Contacts

HSE inspectors act for “public safety” on nine theme park rides

Nine rides at a Devon theme park were stopped after a routine inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Woodlands Family Theme Park was unable to provide sufficient assurance that the rides had undergone valid safety checks, but was able to rectify the issues quickly to minimise disruption. On Thursday 26 June 2025, HSE […]

Joinery firm fined for failing to protect its workers

Unannounced visit by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found failures. The company had failed to protect workers from exposure to wood dust. They also failed to maintain electrical installations. A joinery firm in Middlesbrough has been fined £10,000 after an unannounced visit by Britain’s workplace regulator found multiple health and safety breaches. Inspectors from the […]

Rogue gas fitter jailed for carrying out unsafe work

Antony Clifton was suspended by the Gas Safe Register – but carried out illegal and unsafe work anyway. People encouraged to check the Gas Safe Register. A rogue gas fitter from Norfolk has been jailed after carrying out unsafe gas work at a residential property while suspended from the Gas Safe Register. Antony Clifton, from […]

Textile company fined after director killed by reversing HGV

Director’s family left with ‘mixed emotions’. No risk assessment or safe system of work in place at time. HSE guidance on safe use of transport is available A textile manufacturer has been fined £220,000 after one of its directors was killed by a reversing HGV in Rochdale. Daniel Ames was a director of The British […]

Textile firm fined £300,000 after worker struck by vehicle

CCTV stills show the scene moments before the incident. Company failed to property managed vehicle movements on site. HSE guidance is available.   A company in the West Midlands that reclaims and processes textiles has been fined £300,000 after one of its workers was hit by a telehandler. The man, now 42, suffered serious injuries […]

Council fined after man falls while installing town’s Christmas tree

  20-foot tree toppled during Bury Market installation HSE has well-established guidance on safely working at height Bury Metropolitan Borough Council has been fined £200,000 after a man was injured while installing the town’s Christmas tree. The council employee was using a scissor lift to straighten the 20-foot tall Christmas tree when it toppled over […]

Sarah Albon Chief Executive on the Health and Safety Executive turning 50

Sarah Albon, Chief Executive This is no ordinary new years’ message. Because on 1 January, 50 years ago, the regulator I am proud to lead was formed. Over the past half century, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has led the way in establishing Great Britain as a safe place to work. As we look […]

Manufacturing company fined £15,000 for wood dust failures

A manufacturing company has been fined £15,000 after exposing its own workers to wood dust and failing to comply with two improvement notices. Wood dust can cause serious and often irreversible health problems, including sino-nasal cancer, asthma and dermatitis. Employers have a legal responsibility to prevent or adequately control exposure in the workplace. After concerns […]

Company director avoids prison over wood dust failures

The director of a Norwich woodworking company has avoided an immediate spell behind bars after he exposed his employees to harmful wood dust. Wood dust can cause serious and often irreversible health problems, including sino-nasal cancer, asthma and dermatitis. Employers have a legal responsibility to prevent or adequately control exposure in the workplace. John Risby, […]

Company fined after 21-year-old worker dies

A company in Peterborough has been fined £67,000 after a young employee lost his life. George Setchfield was found unconscious over the side of a large container while working for Electrostatic Magic Limited at the firm’s site in Peterborough. George’s mum says his passing has affected “every aspect” of her life. The 21-year-old had entered […]

NHS trust fined after employee found unconscious in manhole

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been fined £480,000 after an employee suffered a brain injury after he was found unconscious in a manhole. The man had been unblocking a drain at the hospital on 1 February 2022 when he was discovered by other members of staff. He was rescued from the manhole by […]

Monthly roundup – December 2023

The final month of the year has seen the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conclude complex prosecutions against two care settings. December also saw cases relating to two frightening offshore incidents that resulted in fines totalling more than £1million. Another prosecution came about after a member of the public captured shocking footage on their mobile […]

Roofing firm and company business partner sentenced following HSE investigations

Company fined for failings in two separate incidents. Two workers seriously injured after falling through roofs in separate incidents. Business partner at scaffolding firm sentenced following incident in Swansea. A roofing company has been fined a total of £881,000 after two workers were seriously injured during two separate incidents. Billy Hewitt, a worker at Mitie […]

Food company fined £360,000 after worker loses consciousness

A company in Fife which grows and prepares vegetables has been fined £360,000 after a worker was dragged into a machine and lost consciousness. Remigiusz Cyrek, a hygiene operative at Kettle Produce Limited, was undertaking a routine clean of a machine that makes carrot batons on 22 June 2018. The 37-year-old was trapped by a […]

Company fined as HSE inspection identifies failures

A manufacturing business in Lincolnshire has been fined for failing to protect its workers from hazardous substances. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection of W.S. Barrett and Son Limited’s site at Riverside Industrial estate in Boston, Lincolnshire, found the company’s workers were being potentially exposed to welding fume and dusts from powder coating. Welding […]

McCain Foods fined after employee loses fingers

A frozen food company has been fined £700,000 after an employee lost two of his fingers following an incident at the firm’s premises in Lincolnshire. Tom Matthews, from Grantham, now champions health and safety in his current job at a different company, warning others to avoid his misfortune. He had been working a night shift […]