News

Construction company and roofing contractor fined thousands after worker sustained life-changing injuries in fall

A London based property refurbishment company, and an Essex roofing contractor have been fined after a worker fell from scaffolding and suffered life-changing injuries. The worker was contracted as a general labourer for Premier Property and Construction Limited on a project managed by Axis Europe Limited at Cathcart Hill, London on 15 April 2024. During […]

Roofer sentenced for refusing to co-operate with HSE

Roofer risked lives of those working for him. He ignored HSE prohibition notice. Verbally abused inspector and failed to show at court. A Cornish roofer has been sentenced after failing to comply with requests for information from an inspector for Britain’s workplace regulator. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a concern after workers had […]

Companies fined after apprentice fell from height installing CCTV

Apprentice fell through fragile roof. One company failed to properly plan for the work. Second company failed to produce documents as part of investigation. Two companies have been fined after an apprentice fell from height while installing CCTV in Weymouth. The then 20-year-old electrical apprentice had been working for Tristan G Murless Limited at one […]

HSE contributes to award-winning hydrogen safety research in aviation sector

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has played a key role in a major research project that has been recognised with a national award for innovation in sustainable transport. The research project focused on critical safety research to support the safe deployment of hydrogen in aviation taking place over a three-year period between 2022 and […]

Stove manufacturer fined £200,000 after employee loses leg

Worker suffered life-changing injuries. There had been a similar incident at the company in 2021. Company fined £200,000 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs. A manufacturer of wood-burning stoves on the Isle of Wight has been fined £200,000 after an employee had his lower leg amputated following crush injuries caused when heavy metal sheets […]

Shell UK fined £560,000 following major hydrocarbon release

A large offshore oil and gas company has been sentenced and fined £560,000 after failing to properly maintain pipework for seven years. Pipework on Shell UK’s Brent Charlie platform in the North Sea deteriorated to such an extent that contained hydrocarbon fluids escaped, forming a potentially catastrophic explosive and flammable mixture that could have ignited. […]

Fine for company after man seriously injured at wind farm

Incident happened at Tom Nan Clach Wind Farm near Inverness. Worker was seriously injured following electrical flashover. HSE guidance is available. A wind farm management services company has been fined £80,000 after a worker was seriously injured by an electrical flashover. Natural Power Services Limited had sent the then 38-year-old to carry out maintenance work […]

Roofing company fined £16,650 after employee fell through skylight opening

Employee sustained serious injuries after fall from height Company failed to implement safety measures for work at height activities Kingsley Roofing Contractors Limited fined £16,650 A Northampton roofing company has been fined £16,650 after an employee suffered serious injuries when he fell through a skylight opening. Ryan Robinson, 31, was working for Kingsley Roofing Contractors […]

Manufacturing company fined after driver suffers life-changing injuries in fall from HGV trailer

Driver sustained a brain injury and multiple fractures after falling from trailer Company failed to implement adequate fall prevention measures Penn Elcom Limited fined £80,000 A manufacturing company has been fined £80,000 after a visiting lorry driver sustained life-changing injuries when he fell from a trailer during loading operations at a site in County Durham. […]

Film studio fined £6,000 after disturbance of asbestos during maintenance works

Employees exposed to asbestos risk during dismantling of wall panelling. Asbestos had not been identified in previous surveys of the studio buildings. HSE investigation found failures in assessment, training and emergency arrangements. A film studio in Hertfordshire has been fined £6,000 after poor management of minor building works led to the disturbance of asbestos – […]

Animal feed manufacturer fined £500,000 after worker seriously injured

Worker sustained serious injuries when his foot was trapped in machinery. Company had failed to prevent access to dangerous parts. HSE guidance is available. A Yorkshire animal feed manufacturer has been fined £500,000 after a worker lost part of his foot when it was entangled in machinery. William Thompson (York) Limited pleaded guilty after failing […]

HSE publishes annual workplace health and safety statistics

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today (Thursday 20 November) published its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries for 2024/25. The figures show that an estimated 1.9 million workers suffered from work-related ill health during 2024/25, remaining broadly consistent with the levels seen in recent years. While the recent rates of […]

Manufacturing company fined £600k after fatal workplace incident

Employee died after being trapped under fallen pallet Company failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment Systagenix Wound Management Manufacturing Limited t/a Scapa Healthcare Limited fined £600,000 A global manufacturing company has been fined £600,000 after an employee suffered fatal injuries following an incident at the premises in Airedale Mills, Gargrave, Craven. On […]

Haulage company fined £250,000 following death of employee

Man died due to company’s failures Company had never carried out the tasked before. HSE guidance is available. A Middlesbrough road haulage company has been fined £250,000 after a man died while working inside a shipping container. Gary Lee James, 30 was working for Ward Bros (Malton) Ltd at its yard at South Bank, in […]

Getting personal hearing protection right: what really matters

Personal hearing protection is the last line of defence between your workers and permanent hearing damage. But poor management turns every pound spent on earmuffs and earplugs into wasted money. “This isn’t about blame – it’s about recognising a key challenge,” explains Chris Steel, HSE’s Principal Specialist Inspector. Personal protective equipment sits at the bottom […]

“Serious gaps” found in protecting workers from excessive noise

Three-quarters of noisy workplaces lacked essential knowledge on maintaining hearing protection equipment, inspections have found.   The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) most recent inspection campaign has identified significant failings in workplace hearing protection, uncovering issues with employee training and equipment management.  One in four workplaces had noise levels requiring mandatory hearing protection, placing crucial responsibilities […]