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The Health and Safety Executive, often referred to as the HSE, is an independent regulator that aims to prevent work-related death, injury and ill-health.
The foundations of the organisation can be dated back to the 1800’s when the HM Factory Inspectorate, Mines Inspectorate and Quarry Inspectorates were formed.
But it was on 1 January 1975 that the Health and Safety Executive was officially established, led by its first Director General, John Lock.
The organisation acts in the public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces. It is not the sole regulator, as in many cases local authorities are responsible for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974.
Since 2014 when the Care Act came into force, the Care Quality Commission has been responsible for undertaking some of the investigatory/regulatory work currently been undertaken by the HSE or the local authorities, when an incident causing harm, injury or death occurs to a person who is receiving care and support.
Commentary from HSE officials is often featured in SHP from its in-court stories, where the regulator is responsible for bringing prosecutions against individuals and companies.
HSE prosecutions
For the latest HSE news stories, including prosecutions, follow SHP’s In Court page here and see a summary of the most recent news stories below.
HSE facts and figures
HSE data shows that a total of 135 workers died in work-related incidents in Great Britain in 2022/23, an increase of 12 from the previous year.
In statistical terms the number of fatalities has remained broadly level in recent years – the average annual number of workers killed at work over the five years 2017/18-2021/22 is 134.
The construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors continue to account for the greatest number of workers killed in fatal accidents each year.
1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which
914,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
477,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
123,000 workers suffering from COVID-19 which they believe may have been from exposure to coronavirus at work
2,544 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2020)
123 workers killed in work-related accidents
565,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
61,713 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
36.8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
£18.8 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2019/20)
HSE regulatory functions versus local authorities
As a regulator, the HSE’s aim is to prevent workplace death, injury or ill health, through using a variety of methods to influence change and help people manage risks at work. These include:
Taking enforcement action to prevent harm and hold those who break the law to account.
They claim to work collaboratively with other regulators, agencies and government departments to ensure the most appropriate organisation intervenes. They do this by setting arrangements, where laws overlap, to:
Promote cooperation;
Minimise duplication;
Coordinate on joint regulatory activities;
Share information and intelligence.
They will not intervene if another regulator has specific responsibility for that area.
Local authorities are responsible for regulating health and safety in lower-risk workplaces, such as offices, shops and warehouses.
Headquartered in Bootle, near Liverpool, the HSE headquarters address is: Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS.
There are also several other offices around the country. To find your nearest office or knowledge – centre see this page on the HSE website.
Reporting incidents to HSE
All incidents can be reported using an online form, but a telephone service remains for reporting fatal and major injuries only – call the HSE Incident Contact Centre on 0345 300 9923 (opening hours Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5 pm).
Safety & Health Podcast
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£800k fine after stunt performer sustains life-changing injuries on Fast and Furious movie set
A production company has been fined after a stunt performer was injured during the filming of Fast and Furious 9: The Fast Saga, amongst calls for improvements to health and safety on set.
HSE annual workplace stats: Rise in construction deaths while 1.8m cite work-related ill health
Nearly two million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23 as construction sector reports rise in fatalities.
A manufacturer of shopping trolleys has been fined after two men fell approximately three metres when a metal cage they were dismantling collapsed beneath them.
How can we reduce and prevent occupational hearing loss? UKHCA Conference 2023
The annual UKHCA conference took place in Sheffield this month, providing an overview of hearing health, risk management and control with noise at work.
Priory Healthcare fined following death of 21-year-old patient
Priory Healthcare Ltd has been fined for failing to ensure the safety of patients on the hospital’s Emerald Ward following the death of 21-year-old Francesca Whyatt.
Two men injured after cradle falls nine floors at London tower block build
Two men working on a residential tower under construction in London were fortunate to escape death when a defective cradle they were in fell about 90 feet.
Suspended prison sentence for builder over gas safety failures
A builder has avoided an immediate spell behind bars after being convicted of carrying out gas work at a property in Berkshire when he was not qualified to do so.
No effective design or planning to eliminate risks from dust at some UK construction sites, HSE campaign finds
Some UK construction sites have no effective design or planning to eliminate risks from dust and the hierarchy of controls is simply not considered at all, says the regulator.
A company in Birmingham has been fined £1,275,000 after a 26-year-old man was crushed to death during maintenance work at Mountsorrel Quarry in Leicestershire.
Two construction firms fined after man suffers serious injuries
Two construction companies have been fined a combined total of £120,000 after a groundworker suffered horrific injuries when heavy drainage pipes fell on top of him.
Ahead of a webinar on redefining risk management, Evotix’s Langdon Dement gives a great overview of what it really means and what steps you can take to embed it in your workplace.
Over 150 schools have now been identified as having Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in their buildings. Law firm Fieldfisher LLP offers legal advice on the ramifications.
£535k fine for oil and gas firm after man injured on North Sea platform
Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited has been fined £535,000 after a worker sustained life changing injuries following the uncontrolled collapse of a crane.
Construction firm fined for asbestos exposure during renovation work
A Warrington-based construction company has been fined £90,000 after exposing people to asbestos during a renovation project in the Hanley area of Stoke-on-Trent.
HSE publishes fire safety guidance for building planning stage
Advice on the fire safety matters that should be considered by local planning authorities, and applicants has been published by HSE. Ron Alalouff reports.
Stuart Taylor of Mentor FLT Training explains why those working alongside forklift trucks should understand the risks to help keep themselves and others safe.
Dr Karen McDonnell, RoSPA’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy Adviser and Head of RoSPA Scotland, is urging employers to look at ways to protect the health of construction workers.
Plumber given suspended prison sentence for carrying out unsafe gas work
A self-employed plumber has received a suspended prison sentence after carrying out unsafe gas work in Hampshire and for pretending to be Gas Safe registered.
Boarding school fined after pupils overexposed to radon radioactive gas
A private boarding school has been fined £50,000 after exposing two employees, five pupils, and two other children to high levels of radioactive radon gas.
Manufacturer fined after worker partially severs two fingers
A Welshpool manufacturing company has been fined £100,000 after one of its employees partially severed two fingers while trying to find a fault in a machine.
Tissue manufacturer fined £1million after employee loses eye
A Welsh company that manufactures kitchen and toilet tissue paper has been fined £1million after an employee was seriously injured when he was struck in the face by a crane hook.
Plymouth City County Council fined £200,000 after failing to protect workers
Plymouth City Council has been fined £200,000 after its failures led to employees developing hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Tata Steel UK fined after worker suffers permanent brain damage
Tata Steel UK has been fined £120,000 after a worker suffered serious head injuries after being hit in the face with a scaffold pole, causing him to fall backwards.
Serco fined £240,000 after man killed in crash with litter picking vans
Serco has been fined £240,000 after a man was killed when the lorry he was a passenger in crashed into litter picking vans blocking a lane of a dual carriageway in Norfolk.
Manufacturing company fined after worker’s fingers cut off
A vape liquid manufacturing company in Manchester has been fined after a worker lost two fingers and a thumb while clearing a blockage in a packaging machine.
Aircraft seat manufacturer fined £660k after worker fell through roof
A manufacturer of aircraft seats has been fined £660,000 after one of its employees suffered horrific injuries when he fell through a roof at a site in South Wales.
Employers asked to help workers during hot weather
Employers need to act to make sure their workers are protected during periods of extreme hot weather this summer, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.
Firm fined following outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease
A plastics manufacturing company in West Bromwich has been fined after it put workers and the public at risk of being infected with potentially deadly bacteria.
A glass distribution and installation company has been fined £200,000 after an employee broke two ribs and fractured his vertebra after being crushed by a crate.