News

To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging employers to go beyond raising awareness and take practical steps to prevent work-related stress.  In 2023/24, approximately half of all self-reported cases of work-related ill health in Great Britain—whether new or ongoing—were linked to stress, depression, or anxiety, according to […]

Workers put at risk of serious injury. Inspector slams contractor for showing “complete contempt” for workers’ safety HSE guidance is available on safe working from height and demolition. A London contractor has been given a suspended prison sentence after risking the lives of workers and ignoring action taken by Britain’s workplace regulator. The Health and […]

Several failings identified during investigation. Man described as ‘my everything’ by his daughter. HSE guidance is available. A manufacturing company has been fined £240,000 after a grandfather was killed by a reversing HGV in Birmingham. David Saint – described as ‘my everything’ by his daughter – worked as an engineering manager at Northwood Consumer Limited, […]

The partner of a man critically injured by an exploding jet hose waited until after Christmas to agree to switch off life support. Estefania Fonseca, who planned to marry Miguel Galvao the following year, was placed in this impossible position following failures by Lanes Group Limited, who have been fined £800,000 following an investigation by […]

A marina based in the Norfolk Broads has been fined after a man was injured during a boat lift at the site. The incident happened at St Olaves Marina Limited on 17 May 2023, which resulted in the amputation of the man’s finger. The man, who was employed by Northern Divers (Engineering) Limited, was injured […]

A Worcester-based waste and recycling company has been fined £160,000 after a loading shovel bucket fell onto a maintenance worker. Blackpole Recycling Limited was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at its site on Blackpole Trading Estate West in Worcester. Mr Andrew Taylor, a father of two from Worcester, was […]

Review aims to simplify regulatory processes whilst maintaining workplace safety standards The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today (1/10/25) announced the launch of a Call for Evidence (CfE) to review the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR). HSE is inviting input from industry stakeholders, professional bodies, and […]

Man suffered burns after molten glass was spilled. Protective door missing from shovel loader for two years. HSE guidance is available: A global glass bottle manufacturer has been fined £600,000 after a worker was burnt by molten glass and hot water spilling into his cab. O-I Glass Limited pleaded guilty to one charge following the […]

Three workers injured due to failures. Homeowner left with £200k bill to rebuild home. HSE guidance on structural works available. A builder has been given a suspended prison sentence after a roof collapse destroyed a home and injured three workers in Windsor. Jack Savva, 70, was given a 13-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, […]

Mr Iftikhar Ahmed Mughal, 64, died four days after falling from unguarded platform. Fall of just six feet proved fatal due to serious head injuries. Inspector highlights work at height as leading cause of workplace deaths. HSE guidance on tower scaffold protection readily available. A shop sign making and fitting company and its director have […]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched 1,000 targeted inspections of motor vehicle repair businesses across Great Britain to tackle occupational asthma. Many skilled vehicle paint sprayers develop this life-changing and debilitating disease each year, forcing them to leave their profession permanently. This inspection campaign will focus on workplaces that use isocyanate-containing paints and […]

Gary Anstey, 57, had just become a grandad Inspector slams lack of planning that is “all too common” HSE guidance on temporary structures is available A building company has been fined after an employee was crushed to death when a 1.8m high retaining wall collapsed onto him. Gary Anstey, 57, from Bristol, was working for […]

A construction company and its director have been fined after being found guilty of safety breaches that resulted in a five-year-old child being injured by a falling cast iron pipe. Sage Homes Limited and its director were convicted on Monday 4 August 2025, at Southampton Crown Court, for failing to properly assess a foreseeable risk. […]

Qube Containers Limited, which operates on Ipswich docks, has been fined £30,000 after an employee was run over and dragged by a forklift causing serious injuries to his ankle. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution following its investigation of the incident involving Harvey Addison, from Ipswich, on 11 December 2023. Mr Addison […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 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 […]

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 […]

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, […]