News

Construction firm fined after worker fell from barn roof

·       Man fell from height while installing roof sheeting to barn. ·       Work at height was not properly planned. ·       HSE has guidance on working at height. A construction company has been fined after a worker fell from the roof of a partially constructed barn in Shropshire. The man had been appointed by Dewi Williams […]

Company fined after worker entangled in horizontal borer

A company has been sentenced after an employee became entangled in a horizontal borer while carrying out cleaning operations. Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 30 November 2023, while cleaning swarf from a horizontal borer, an employee became entangled around the rotating tool piece, which had been left running. An investigation by the Health and […]

Waste and recycling company fined after worker injured cleaning machinery

  Supervisor turned machine on in devastating mix-up Employee suffered fractured shoulder, torn ligaments, and a broken finger HSE guidance highlights the importance of isolating machinery during cleaning A North East waste and recycling company has been fined £270,000 after an employee was injured while cleaning a waste picking line. On 24 March 2023, during […]

Fine for firm after worker fell from ladder

A horticultural company has been fined after an employee suffered serious injuries after falling from a ladder. The employee had been tasked to check irrigation that was watering plants contained in hanging baskets at the site in Banbury on 7 June 2023. As the man climbed the ladder, it fell and collapsed under him, resulting […]

Protecting workers from workplace transport: getting the basics right

Every year, families across Great Britain face the devastating loss of a loved one killed by a reversing vehicle at work. These are not just statistics. They are family members, friends and colleagues whose lives were cut short by entirely preventable accidents. The stark reality is that being struck by a moving vehicle accounts for […]

Aluminium manufacturer fined £300,000 after worker crushed

Worker trapped for more than 20 minutes before he was freed The man, in his 40s, has been unable to return to work HSE guidance on managing risks is available A manufacturer of rolled aluminium products has been fined £300,000 after a worker was crushed under a 1.5-tonne hydraulic arm at its site in Bridgnorth. […]

Day of action in Manchester city centre

A team of inspectors from Britain’s workplace regulator are heading to Manchester city centre as part of its priority to tackle ill-health on construction sites. The 12 inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will head to the city next Tuesday (21 October). They will turn up without warning at various businesses and sites […]

Construction company fined £546,000 following death of employee

Worker struck by reversing road-sweeper Family describes Robert Morris as “the centre of our world” HSE guidance is available on safe use of vehicles on site A construction company that specialises in road resurfacing in London has been fined £546,000 after one of its employees was killed by a reversing road-sweeper. Robert Morris, 48, was […]

Two companies fined after worker falls through fragile rooflight

Man fell through fragile roof light. He had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming impaled. HSE guidance about working at height is available. Two companies have been fined after a man fell through a fragile rooflight at a factory in Keighley, impaling his leg on machinery below. A.T. Lee Properties Limited and LJH Property […]

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 […]

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 […]