Health and Safety Executive turns 50

HSE celebrated 50 years on 1 January 2025

Created by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, HSE was officially launched on 1 January 1975.

Working together with local authorities for the last 50 years, we have played a central role in reducing workplace death and injury, helping Great Britain become one of the safest places in the world to work.

In 1974, 651 workers were killed at work. HSE’s latest annual statistics for 2023 to 2024 show that number has reduced to 138.

Visit our website where you can find out more and get involved in helping us mark 50 years: Health and Safety Executive turns 50

Home improvement and asbestos

Many people may be considering some home improvements this new year, involving the use of tradespeople.

Before any work starts, homeowners should make sure the tradespeople have evaluated the risk of asbestos being present and/or disturbed, as well as what they will do should they suspect or discover hidden asbestos.

Our Asbestos and You campaign provides essential information that traders in building, maintenance and allied trades need to help plan work safely.

visit the Asbestos and You campaign website to download the quick guide for trades
access the asbestos essentials tasksheets
share the free TrustMark app for homeowners

Health and Safety Executive Chief Executive awarded in the New Year’s Honours List

The Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Sarah Albon has been recognised in the New Year’s honours list.

Sarah has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Bath for her services to the public sector. The honours are given by the King and recognise achievements of people from across the United Kingdom.

Sarah joined HSE in 2019 and led the organisation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to HSE, Sarah was Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service.

Read the full press release to find out more.

Recognising contributions to reducing musculoskeletal risk

Time is running out to make a nomination for HSE’s 2025 Risk-reduction through design awards.

If you are an employer in the UK and you have made design changes that have reduced musculoskeletal risks in your workplace, then nominate yourselves for the awards.

Any UK employer can enter and there is an additional award category for small and medium size businesses (up to 250 employees).

The deadline for entries is 31 January 2025. Our website has further details on how to enter and case studies of previous winners.

Director sentenced after filming accident

A media company and its director have been prosecuted after an employee suffered life-changing head and brain injuries while filming from the open boot of a moving car in Devon. The worker fell onto the tarmac during filming for a motorcycle review and has been unable to return to work since. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com] The incident

Electrical wholesaler fined £4m after worker crushed

A City Electrical Factors Limited employee suffered life-changing injuries after a 231kg switchboard unit fell from a forklift truck during loading operations at the company’s Proteus Switchgear Industrial Division in Telford on 4 October 2024. The 40-year-old father of one sustained severe brain and spinal injuries and now requires 24-hour care in a residential facility.