24 September Prosecution: Construction company fined after exposing workers to asbestos risks Asbestos was banned in 1999, however when construction works take place on older buildings, the presence of asbestos can pose an occupational hazard to workers. We recently highlighted the mesothelioma risks associated with asbestos, which are further evidenced in the HSE prosecution below. HSE prosecution In August 2025, a Manchester-based construction firm, A1 Property Maintenance … Read More
27 August Prosecution: Roofing company fined following fall from heights HSE case A Welsh-based company have been fined £40,000 after a roofer fell through an unguarded skylight. He sustained serious head trauma, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and kidney damage, having profound long-term effects on his health. Following the incident, he now suffers with PTSD. The subsequent investigation by the HSE found that the company … Read More
28 July Prosecution: Joiners fined for failing to protect workers The importance of understanding risks and keeping workers safe is highlighted in a recent breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act et Act 1974, in which wood dust and electrical risks were uncovered during a surprise inspection. Ensuring risk assessments are in place to identify hazards and ensure the control measures in place … Read More
26 August COVID-secure and HSE enforcement The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it will be carrying out further spot inspections at businesses in areas with the highest coronavirus infection rates as it continues its efforts to halt the spread of the virus. This means that HSE inspectors will be dropping in on businesses and putting employers on the spot in Oldham … Read More
23 September Worker died after fall from a scaffolding access ladder £53,000 fine after fatal fall from an insecure ladder An Aberdeen-based roofing contractor has been prosecuted by the HSE after a worker died when he fell from a ladder while exiting scaffolding. JF, a 56-year-old employee of Henderson and Aitken, fell from the top rungs of the ladder after it slipped sideways in Jute Street … Read More
27 June Fire Risk – “too awful to contemplate” People still put profit before safety. The man who created a fire safety risk that was described as “too awful to contemplate” by massive overcrowding during at an event at York’s Kuda nightclub has been given a suspended prison sentence. The club was rated to a safe capacity of 645, but during a Basshunter event … Read More
4 April Asbestos disturbed – hoteliers fines A Devon based hoteliers was been sentenced after asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were disturbed during a major refurbishment at The Park Hotel in Barnstaple. The Magistrates’ Court in Newton Abbot heard that between October 2016 and May 2017 construction work was undertaken to refurbish the hotel on Taw Vale. Parts of the hotel were originally constructed during … Read More
26 March Risk Assessment: Being wise before the event We are all aware that risk assessment is a legal requirement, and most organisations have some form of risk assessment process in place. Sometimes this is only in place because risk assessment is a legal requirement. Fortunately, there are some organisations that embrace the risk assessment process and understand it can protect the health and the safety of their … Read More
1 August Prison Sentence for Roofing Contractor Council H&S officers reported dangerous roof work to HSE – Prison Sentence for Roofing Contractor. A roofing contractor has been sentenced for safety breaches after workers were left at risk of falling from unprotected roof edges in February 2016. The failures of C Smith Roofing (Mr Chris Smith T/A) were discovered by local council health and safety … Read More
1 August Unsafe roof work Unsafe Roof Work – a roofing contractor employed by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has had its unsafe working practices exposed after an employee fell through a roof light. In a prosecution brought by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Dudley magistrates heard how people were working on the roof for Woodhull Roofing had no safety … Read More