Latest Health & Safety News & Prosecutions – Lessons for Employers

At Consensus HR, and working with our H&S provider we regularly monitor Health and Safety Executive (HSE) updates to help businesses stay compliant and avoid preventable accidents.

Recent HSE prosecutions highlight the devastating consequences of unsafe practices — from inadequate supervision to ignoring prohibition notices. These real-life cases serve as a stark reminder that safety must always come first.

⚖️ Man Sentenced After Carrying Out Illegal Gas Work

A man received a six-month suspended prison sentence after performing unregistered gas work in residential homes, despite multiple warnings from the HSE.
👉 Lesson: Gas work must only be carried out by individuals registered with Gas Safe Register. Always check credentials before allowing work to begin.

⚠️ Contractor Given Suspended Prison Sentence After Ignoring Prohibition Notice

A contractor was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison (suspended) for ignoring an HSE prohibition notice, continuing unsafe construction work that put workers’ lives at risk.
👉 Lesson: When issued with an HSE notice, immediate action is required — ignoring it can lead to prosecution and imprisonment.

🚛 Manufacturing Company Fined £240,000 After Worker Killed by Reversing HGV

A worker was fatally struck by a reversing HGV on a shared industrial estate.
👉 Lesson: Employers must ensure vehicle movements are controlled through risk assessments, traffic management plans, and trained banksmen.

💥 Company Fined £800,000 After Worker Killed by Exploding Jet Hose

A worker was killed when a high-pressure jet hose exploded, striking him in the head.
👉 Lesson: Always follow manufacturer maintenance schedules and carry out thorough inspections of high-pressure systems.

⚓ Marina Fined After Worker Injured During Boat Lift

A marina was fined after a worker’s hand was crushed by telehandler forks while lifting a boat.
👉 Lesson: Equipment must only be operated by competent, trained staff and with correct attachment controls in place.

♻️ Waste & Recycling Company Fined £160,000 After Worker Suffers Crush Injuries

A maintenance worker sustained serious crush injuries when a loading shovel bucket fell on him during hydraulic repairs.
👉 Lesson: Lock-off procedures and isolation systems must be in place during maintenance to prevent equipment movement.

🧯 Glass Bottle Maker Fined £600,000 After Worker Injured

A worker suffered severe scald burns after molten glass and hot water entered his shovel loader cab.
👉 Lesson: Employers must ensure robust guarding and heat protection measures are in place, especially in high-risk industries.

🏚️ Builder Sentenced After House Collapse Injures Three Workers

A loft conversion went catastrophically wrong when a gable wall collapsed, injuring three workers and destroying the home.
👉 Lesson: Always ensure structural supports remain in place and that work is overseen by competent engineers.

🪜 Sign Fitting Company and Director Fined After Fatal Fall from Scaffolding

A £45,000 fine was issued after a worker died following a six-foot fall from an unguarded scaffolding tower.
👉 Lesson: Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities — every edge and opening must be protected.

💬 Comment from Matthew Chilcott – Owner, Consensus HR

“These tragic cases highlight why robust Health & Safety management is not just a legal duty but a moral one.
Every injury or fatality represents a failure that could have been prevented through proper risk assessments, staff training, and compliance with HSE standards. It Health & Safety always reminds me of my days when I worked as Head of Operations & HR and Welcome Break South Mimms when we had a major fire on the 13th August 1998 which resulted in the whole site being loss to fire.  If we had not trained the team correctly, the results could have been traumatic but luckily everything went like clockwork due to ensuring ALL the team has regular fire & Health & Safety training.

One comment I will always remember from a customer is “We have just paid for our fish & chips, I am not going anywhere!!!”

Here is a link I found to a website with some very interesting pictures”

At Consensus HR, we help businesses develop tailored Health & Safety policies, deliver training, and implement safety audits to prevent such incidents before they occur.”

🧰 How Consensus HR Can Help

Our team of qualified consultants provides practical, business-focused Health & Safety support for SMEs.
Whether you need a one-off risk assessment or a retained service for ongoing compliance, we’ll ensure your workplace meets the latest legal requirements.

🔗 Learn more about our Health & Safety services here.
📞 Or contact us today to discuss how we can support your team and protect your business.

Stay Safe. Stay Compliant. Stay Protected with Consensus HR.

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