Latest news and prosecutions

This ebulletin contains a selection of HSE’s latest prosecution notices:

2 companies fined after worker sustained serious injuries in fall
Fines totalling £800,000 were issued after safety failings resulted in a worker falling from scaffolding, suffering serious injuries.

Roofer sentenced for refusing to co-operate with HSE
The roofer was carrying out work without scaffolding, ignored a prohibition notice and was verbally abusive towards a HSE inspector.

Companies fined after apprentice fell from height installing CCTV
The young worker fell 11 feet through a fragile roof whilst completing installation work, resulting in injuries to the workers back.

Fine for plant-hire company after worker killed in forklift truck incident
A £433,550 fine was issued after the vehicle fell from the side of a trailer bed, resulting in the workers death.

Stove manufacturer fined £200,000 after employee loses leg
The worker had his lower leg amputated following crush injuries caused when heavy metal sheets fell on him.

Offshore oil and gas company fined £560,000 following major hydrocarbon release
Improper maintenance on an offshore platform led to a large release of crude oil and gas from corroded pipework.

Preventing slips, trips and falls this winter

Darker evenings and colder weather can increase the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

Slips and trips cause over a third of all major injuries and can also lead to other types of accidents, such as falls from height or into machinery.

Our guidance helps you to understand what causes slips and trips and how to prevent them.

Call for Safety Focus as Solar Panel Fire Numbers Increase

A renewed emphasis on installation quality, regular maintenance and system inspections is being called for as the number of solar panel fire incidents continues to climb alongside the rapid expansion of renewable energy technology. Fire and safety specialists say that while solar power remains a safe and effective energy source, poorly installed equipment, faulty components

Safety notice: GEC VMX High Voltage Switchgear

HSE has published a safety notice following the failure of a GEC VMX high voltage vacuum circuit breaker, which resulted in electrical arcing and fire within a substation. HSE’s investigation identified partial discharge activity as the most likely cause, with previous warning signs having been detected but not acted upon. The notice applies to GEC

Company and director prosecuted after worker injury

A company and its director have been prosecuted after a worker suffered life-changing injuries during the dismantling of a steel frame structure in Surrey. The incident occurred when a steel beam weighing more than 100kg fell after a ratchet strap, not designed for lifting operations, failed. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hse-network.com] The worker sustained multiple fractures to the

Network Rail fined £1.2m over wall collapse

Network Rail has been fined £1.2 million after a boundary wall at Rugby railway station collapsed and seriously injured 81-year-old Edward Hanlon in September 2022. Investigators found the wall had been omitted from inspection records after boundary changes were incorrectly documented, meaning its deteriorating condition went unnoticed. [orr.gov.uk], [yahoo.com] The incident left Mr Hanlon with