David Clover was employed by Ecclesiastical Steeplejacks Ltd to carry out restoration work to St Nicholas’ Church in Kings Norton on 13 November 2020. The 64-year-old steeplejack had been suspended from the 60 metre tall steeple of the Grade 1 listed building, sitting in a ‘bosun’s chair’ – a work positioning seat – when he fell, suffering fatal injuries.

A 14-year-old boy was with an adult, sitting down, waiting for an MOT to be conducted at New Auto Tech Limited on 4 May 2022. The chair was situated in front of the brake rollers, however, as the MOT technician attempted to move the car in reverse, the vehicle was driven forwards off the brake rollers, crushing the child against the wall.

The boy required immediate hospital treatment, having sustained multiple pelvis fractures. They were off school for over a year and bed bound for three months following the incident.

There are many known risks associated with the motor vehicle repair industry and detailed HSE guidance is available.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that New Auto Tech Limited had failed to ensure that members of the public were in a safe area when vehicles were being moved.

The MOT Centre had a designated ‘viewing area’ to the side of the brake roller bay. This was a painted box on the floor with a chair placed inside it. However there were no protective barriers and the business failed to stop customers from moving out of this area into parts of the workshop where vehicles were moving.

New Auto Tech Limited of Alroy Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching  Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for its failure to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of those not in its employment. The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,810  following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on 10 January 2025.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Michelle Morphy said, “This case sends a clear message to MOT Test Centres that HSE will hold them to account if they fail to protect both workers and members of the public.

“On this occasion, they failed to protect a child, by allowing them to move from their allotted viewing area into an operational area, which should have been restricted to workers only.

“As such the child was seriously injured in a totally avoidable incident.”

This HSE prosecution was supported by HM inspector Oscar Dower and brought by enforcement lawyer Jayne Wilson and paralegal officer Lucy Gallagher.

The 800kg load crushed Wayne Hatton’s legs during a night shift at Amber Precast Ltd’s factory on 14 January 2021.

Mr Hatton, from Doncaster, had his right lower leg amputated with two toes on his left foot also being removed following the incident at Davy Business Park.

The pallet was being removed from a reinforced concrete cast when it fell onto the father-of-two, who had only recently been employed by the firm as a supervisor.

The then 46-year-old spent seven weeks in hospital and now has a prosthetic leg after his right lower leg was amputated.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the pallet had not been secured onto the lifting chains of the overhead crane before being removed from the concrete cast. This meant the pallet was not supported while being moved.

The investigation also found Amber Precast Ltd failed to consistently implement a system of work to ensure the pallet could be removed safely. Mr Hatton, now 50, and other members on his team had not received any information or instructions on how to remove the pallet safely.

HSE guidance can be found at: Provide information, training and supervision: Overview – HSE

Amber Precast Ltd, of Davy Business Park, Prince Of Wales Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £5,406 in costs at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 9 January 2025.

HSE inspector Jane Fox said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided with the correct instruction and implementation of an agreed safe working procedure. Amber Precast Ltd left its employees to work out their own methods of completing the pallet removal task, instead of providing them with suitable training and equipment so it could be done safely every time.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Andy Siddall and supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.

The 37-year-old from Bursledon had been helping his friend repair a fire-damaged storage barn at Dodwell Farm Limited on Pylands Lane on 9 February 2023. The father-of-one had been at the top of a sloped roof fixing new panels to timbers, but they weren’t strong enough to hold his weight. They gave way when he stood on them and he fell through to the hard surface about 10 metres below. The injuries he sustained were severe and resulted in an extended period in hospital.

The petition, spearheaded by PPE Consultant Paul Varnsverry, aims to combat the influx of substandard motorcycle clothing available on e-commerce and social media platforms. These items often fail to meet essential safety standards, posing a significant risk to motorcyclists.

Over the last three years, Trading Standards departments across the UK have actively addressed the sale of non-conforming motorcycle clothing through trade shows and retail outlets. This enforcement has largely eradicated untested and non-certified products from traditional markets. Recent actions by the Office for Product Safety and Standards have led to recalls of non-compliant motorcycle clothing and further investigations into rogue vendors.

However, the rise of online marketplaces has created new challenges. Paul Varnsverry explains, “E-commerce and social platforms have become a haven for vendors of unsafe and counterfeit products. Despite clear evidence of safety breaches, these platforms continue to allow sales, appearing to prioritise sales over consumer protection. 

“This has enabled countless sellers to market fraudulent, CE-marked apparel directly to consumers, bypassing regulatory oversight.”

Test purchases conducted by both the BSIF and leading motorcycle publications have consistently revealed that these products fail to meet the requirements of European Standards for motorcyclists’ clothing. It is also not uncommon for suppliers to use forged certificates to falsely claim compliance.

The petition calls on the government to implement measures to stop the importation of unsafe goods. Under the suggested strategy, shipments containing non-certified products would be intercepted, inspected, and destroyed if found non-compliant. Buyers would be refunded through credit card providers or PayPal, leaving rogue sellers to absorb the financial losses.

The sale of non-conforming motorcycle clothing highlights a broader issue regarding the proliferation of unsafe personal protective equipment (PPE) across online platforms. While the BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme helps occupational buyers identify responsible PPE suppliers, to the BSIF’s knowledge, similar protections are lacking in the motorcycle consumer market.

BSIF CEO Alan Murray comments, “The ease with which unsafe safety products reach users through online marketplaces is a national concern. The government must act swiftly to address these loopholes and protect consumers. Unsafe motorcycle clothing is not just a niche issue; it’s part of a wider problem that demands urgent attention.” 

Sign the petition here.

BSIF tests of non-member PPE undertaken between December 2022 and December 2023 found 79% of products failed to meet test criteria potentially putting users at risk of harm. The BSIF will publish the latest findings of its annual investigation into the availability of substandard PPE in the UK at the beginning of February 2025. 

MHFA England’s latest research, among 2,000 employees, shows a significant number of workers feel a lack of inspiration and enthusiasm at work. While ‘Blue Monday’ is often billed as the ‘most depressing’ day of the year, the reality is poor mental health and low workplace engagement can affect anyone, at any time. 

These figures highlight just how important it is for employers to get to know their people. By taking time to understand your workforce - who they are and what drives them – employers can build cultures where employees are engaged, valued and performing at their best.  

The research also reveals junior managers are more likely to be unhappy and demotivated at work compared to their colleagues. 1 in 5 (19%) junior managers say they don’t feel appreciated for the work they do and 22% say they never feel inspired by their job. Only 4% of junior managers say they are bursting with energy at work each day. If managers are feeling undervalued, what hope is there for their teams? This dissatisfaction points to a systemic need for workplaces to change their approach. 

To empower workplaces to better support and motivate their people MHFA England has published My Whole Self: My plan for working well. It is a personal, proactive tool to help employees and managers identify what keeps them and their colleagues working well. The plan helps to create psychological safety, one of the key drivers of motivation, engagement and performance. By fostering psychologically safe workplace cultures, wellbeing, morale and productivity will soar. Teams thrive when all voices are encouraged to speak up with ideas, questions, and concerns, or admit mistakes, without fear of judgement or consequence 

MHFA England wants workplaces where everyone is safe to bring their whole self to work, if they choose to. My Whole Self provides a range of free tools to help organisations prioritise psychological safety. 

MHFA England has developed a range of My Whole Self activities and resources for employers to use throughout the year, for leaders HR, managers and employees.   

Workplaces are being encouraged to take part in My Whole Self Day on 11 March 2025 and start planning their activities now. They can access the new, free resource, as well as others, including the My Whole Self MOT and the My Whole Self: Managers’ Toolkit, to help build understanding of their employees’ lived experiences and identities and develop psychological safety.  

Sarah McIntosh, chief executive of MHFA England said, “We all have days when we’re feeling less inspired and motivated at work, but MHFA England’s latest research shows that for many employees, especially junior managers, this is happening too often, and it is impacting our energy levels, wellbeing and performance at work.  

"So, what can employers do to mitigate these worrying trends? It’s simple. Understanding your people is the key to motivation and wellbeing. My Whole Self offers employers the tools to create thriving workplaces and support employers on their journey to creating high performing and happier workforces. This investment in wellbeing isn’t just good for people—it’s good for business.” 

Dr. Melissa Carr, director of equity, diversity, and inclusion at the World of Work Institute, Henley Business School adds, “While organisations are striving to foster inclusive environments, there is still work to be done, particularly in supporting junior managers. 

"This research highlights how junior managers are struggling to feel energised and engaged at work, which is critical for their wellbeing and motivation. Organisations and employers can make a difference through providing meaningful opportunities to have a voice and contribute to decision making, by offering inspiring and purpose-driven work and finally, ensuring access to wellbeing and mental health support.   

"By addressing these needs and providing better support to junior managers, organisations can create workplaces where people not only thrive, but they feel valued and supported.” 

MHFA England is urging organisations across the country to join the My Whole Self movement by taking part in My Whole Self Day on Tuesday 11 March. You can  access free resources to start planning now: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/campaigns/my-whole-self-2025/

David Broadway, 36, had been working at Pemberton Timber Frame Limited, a company that manufactures timber frame structures for the construction industry, at its site in Evelyn Way in Ramsgate on the morning of 4 January 2023.

He was operating a panel saw and asked to cut down the thickness of a length of timber – known as a rip cut. This process involved passing a length of timber through the panel saw multiple times as the timber exceeded the depth the blade could cut in one pass.

CCTV footage shows Mr Broadway successfully completing the cut before flipping the length of timber over, but he soon found the second cut much more difficult. He can been seen attempting to feed the timber through the saw and while receiving it from the cut end, his right hand made contact with the saw blade, instantly amputating his index, middle and ring fingers, also cutting his little finger.

Mr Broadway said the accident has massively impacted in aspects of his life.

“I used to do weight lifting, ride my bike and keep active,” he said. “I used to work a lot with my hands and I am now getting frustrated as I can’t do these things.

“Even normal activities like cooking or taking a shower are a challenge. It makes me feel stressed as I can’t do the everyday activities I used to do.”

Mr Broadway now also struggles to care for his children, including his young son, born after the accident.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Mr Broadway was asked to complete a task that was not suitable for the machine he was using. Pemberton Timber Frame Ltd had also failed to ensure he received sufficient training or instruction on how to use the panel saw safely, which would have included vital information about the limitations of the saw, guarding and other  safety features such as a riving knife and the use of a push stick. The saw riving knife was also absent at the time of the incident.

HSE has clear guidance on safe woodworking which includes how and when a rip cut is carried out – a panel saw with a circular blade must not be used unless the saw blade, at all times, projects through the upper surface of the material being cut.

The investigation also discovered that the company had appropriate machines to undertake this task safely but Mr Broadway was unaware of this due to his lack of training.

On 8 January 2025, Pemberton Timber Frame Ltd of The Strand, Walmer, Kent pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ court. The company was fined £12,000 order to pay full costs of £4,034.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector Ross Carter said, “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by Mr Broadway would not have happened.”

The HSE investigation was conducted by HM inspector Simon Asakura-Cornish and the prosecution brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Wells, support by paralegal officer David Shore.

The new British Standard - BS 8681 - was published on the 30 November 2024 and marks a significant step forward. It sets out clear guidelines for the industry, emphasising competence and safety across all aspects of fall protection systems.

Many of the BSIF (HSG) members were actively involved in the BSI Working Group that wrote this standard. Register today to listen to the industry experts discussing the key aspects of this new Standard and how it will impact the industry.

Webinar panellists include:

• Alan Murray
• Graham Willmott
• Tim Bissett
• John Hynes
• Liz Rickard
• Harvey Dun
• Steven Morris
• Jonathan Seymour
• David Ravensdale

You can register for this free to attend webinar by clicking below.

Register here

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out several inspections on Warmsworth Stone Limited, which produces carved stone masonry products using limestone, sandstone, granite and marble, at the company’s site at Knabs Hill Farm on Clayton lane in Thurnscoe, starting in May 2023.

Following these inspections, the company was served with seven improvement notices, which covered several failures including exposure to stone dust, control of legionella bacteria and inadequate welfare facilities.

When HSE inspectors returned in September 2023, five of the improvement notices had still not been complied with – despite the company being given an extension to do so following another visit in August.

The company had shown reckless disregard of several health and safety issues including the assessment and control of respirable dust, and the company’s standard of health and safety management was far below what is required by health and safety law, leading to HSE’s proactive prosecution for failure to control the exposure of workers to RCS.

Stone workers are at risk of exposure to airborne particles of stone dust containing RCS when processing stone, by cutting, chiselling and polishing. Over time, breathing in these silica particles can cause irreversible, life-changing and often fatal respiratory conditions such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. HSE provides a range of guidance for stone workers Stoneworkers: Health and safety topics.

After the hearing the HSE inspector Charlotte Bligh said, “The company management responsible for health and safety were neither informed nor competent enough to carry out their role under the law.

“Over time, the basic measures to secure the health of all on site had not been taken, there had been no attempt to assess health risks and existing control measures had not been properly maintained.

“The company failed to take the initiative in health and safety matters and seek guidance, instruction and competent advice on implementation and communication of those measures necessary to control the risks at the site.

“The provision of suitable protection for worker’s health is a basic requirement that this company has failed to meet. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fail to comply with the requirements of enforcement notices.”

Warmsworth Stone Limited of 1-3 Sheffield Road, Warmsworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching section 21 of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, breaching Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 by failing to adequately control employee exposure to a substance hazardous to health namely RCS and breaching Regulation 9(2)(a) the same Regulations by failing to have local exhaust ventilation subject to a thorough examination and test at least every 14 months.

They were fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,064.

Director Simon Jonathan Frith pleaded guilty to being a director of a company that had breached Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 by failing to adequately control employee exposure to a substance hazardous to health namely RCS and breaching Regulation 9(2)(a) of the same Regulations by failing to have local exhaust ventilation subject to a thorough examination and test at least every 14 months, those offences being committed with his consent, connivance or neglect.

He was fined £1,062, and ordered to pay costs of £3,782.

This HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement lawyer Iain Jordan.

David Wood Baking Ltd has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The incidents took place at between June and December 2022:

• On 25 June 2022, a woman’s arm was drawn into a conveyor belt at the company’s site at Lyon Road in Kearsley, Bolton. As a result, she suffered two open fractures and permanent nerve damage in the hand. She underwent three operations and the insertion of two metal plates to repair the damage.
• On 20 July 2022, a man working at the company’s site in Sidney Street, Bolton, was injured after becoming trapped in a mechanical mixer. He was attempting a repair to the machine when the lid of the mixer dropped onto his left arm. Neither the supervisor or manager on call were contactable and the employee was stuck in the machine for around 90 minutes, eventually being freed by the fire brigade. The man suffered an open fracture to the arm as well as other fractures and nerve damage in the left forearm.
• On 4 December 2022, also at the Kearsley site, a woman had a finger severed after her hand became entangled in an unguarded drive belt on a machine that she was operating. She was also left with ongoing nerve damage to the hand.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the company had a history of poor machinery guarding practice, having previously been convicted and fined £858,000 following an incident in 2021, where a 26-year-old employee had to have his right arm surgically removed following an incident with a piece of machinery.

The HSE investigation into the 2022 incidents found the company failed to keep employees safe from risks posed by food manufacturing machinery, and that training was inadequate and monitoring insufficient to rectify issues.

The risk of injury is higher when machinery becomes unreliable and develops faults, or it is used improperly through inexperience or lack of training. HSE guidance is available here. 

David Wood Baking Limited of Calverley Road, Oulton, Leeds, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £573,344 and was ordered to pay £12,288 costs at a hearing on 19 December 2024 at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jennifer French said, “This company failed to keep employees safe from risks posed by food manufacturing machinery. The training was inadequate and the monitoring insufficient to rectify issues.

“It is important for industries to understand the potential dangers arising from the use of, or working near, dangerous machinery.

“HSE will always be prepared to use appropriate enforcement when companies fall short of their duties and responsibilities.”

The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Iain Jordan.