Health and Safety Executive

Health and Safety Executive The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety.

We aim to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health in Great Britain. To help us do this, we carry out research, provide information and advice, promote training and propose regulations and codes of practice. We also work with local authorities to enforce health and safety standards, carrying out inspections and investigations, and taking enforcement action, including prosecuting cases through the courts.

One of the world's biggest energy companies has been handed a six-figure fine after corroding pipework at its former sit...
26/08/2026

One of the world's biggest energy companies has been handed a six-figure fine after corroding pipework at its former site in Fife resulted in several gas leaks of highly flammable hydrocarbons.

Our inspectors carried out a routine visit to the natural gas processing plant being operated by ExxonMobil Chemical Limited at Mossmorran.

They found the company’s arrangements for the inspection of insulated pipework were not adequate and resulted in five known leaks of extremely flammable hydrocarbons.

After sentencing, HSE inspector Lindsey Stein said:

“At a site run by one of the biggest energy companies in the world, subject to the strictest controls, and processing high volumes of hazardous material, what our inspectors found beggars belief.

“The failure of ExxonMobil to properly inspect insulated pipework led to five separate leaks of highly flammable hydrocarbons, and while none of these leaks resulted in a catastrophic event, this was down to good fortune rather than good management.

"The arrangements in place to detect and prevent corrosion were woefully inadequate, and the consequences could have been far more serious."

You can read more about the case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/08/26/six-figure-fine-for-exxonmobil-after-five-leaks-of-extremely-flammable-hydrocarbons-at-fife-chemical-plant/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

26/08/2026

As well as suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE), engineered stone workers need coveralls that do not retain dust – synthetic rather than cotton.

If exposure to the wet mist is likely, the coveralls should also provide water protection.

You should not wear your own outer clothing in contaminated areas.

You’ll also need suitable footwear and gloves.

There should also be arrangements in place for storage, laundering and replacement of equipment.

Detailed guidance is available in the COSHH essentials for stoneworkers: Silica sheet ST3A:

https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/engineered-stone/essential-controls/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=silica-dust

Whether you're an employer or a worker, staying on top of workplace health risks matters. The HSE Work Right site brings...
24/08/2026

Whether you're an employer or a worker, staying on top of workplace health risks matters.

The HSE Work Right site brings together information, guidance and helpful resources across key campaigns - Asbestos & You, Asbestos Your Duty, Engineered Stone, Working Minds and Isocyanates.

Find practical advice to help you understand the risks and take the right action to protect yourself and others. Visit Work Right today.

Sign up now: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=work-right&utm_content=homepage

Every year incidents involving moving vehicles cause death and injury in the workplace.Read about some of the latest ca...
21/08/2026

Every year incidents involving moving vehicles cause death and injury in the workplace.

Read about some of the latest cases we've brought to justice. ⬇️

A Cornwall-based timber company and its director have been fined after failing to comply with a series of enforcement no...
21/08/2026

A Cornwall-based timber company and its director have been fined after failing to comply with a series of enforcement notices issued by our inspectors.

Truro Sawmills Limited failed to comply with three improvement notices served by HSE to protect its workers.

Alistair Wright, the company’s Managing Director, was also prosecuted in relation to the offences and has been disqualified from acting as a company director for a period of five years.

As part of our investigation, we found that workers had not been appropriately trained to use rider-operated lift trucks and not been face fit tested for respiratory protective equipment to protect them from wood dust and were not under suitable health surveillance.

You can read more about the case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/08/21/cornwall-sawmill-and-company-director-fined-after-failing-to-act-on-health-and-safety-notices/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

A clinical waste disposal company has been fined after one of its workers severed his arm while unblocking machinery in ...
20/08/2026

A clinical waste disposal company has been fined after one of its workers severed his arm while unblocking machinery in Swindon.

He had been working alongside a colleague when he attempted to clear an obstruction on an autoclave machine.

His left arm was trapped and crushed by the door – severing it from the elbow down.

Our investigation into the incident identified multiple failings by the company including not having sufficient measures in place and the inadequate training of its employees.

You can read more about the case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/08/19/surgeons-spend-six-hours-saving-workers-arm-after-it-was-severed-below-elbow-in-machinery-incident/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

20/08/2026

Powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) are an effective type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for working with engineered stone because:

◼️more comfortable to wear for long periods
◼️suitable for a wet environment
◼️a face fit test is not always needed (so suitable for those with facial hair).

RPE needs to be kept clean, stored in a clean place and checked before use. Thorough maintenance, examination and testing should be carried out at least once a month.

Find out more:

https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/engineered-stone/essential-controls/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=silica-dust

We recently prosecuted a company and director after workers lives were put at risk with unsafe roof work in central Lond...
19/08/2026

We recently prosecuted a company and director after workers lives were put at risk with unsafe roof work in central London.

In January 2024, concerned members of the public sent photographs to HSE showing people working on a roof at the site with no control measures to protect them from falling, such as edge protection.

There was no safe means of access to the roof, with operatives photographed standing on a makeshift platform balanced on a stepladder.

Our investigation found that there were no controls in place to prevent the workers, who were employed by a subcontractor, from falling from height on at least two separate dates.

Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace death and injury with the latest statistics from HSE showing that they account for over a quarter of all work related deaths in 2025/26.

You can read more about this case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/08/18/sentenced-construction-company-and-director-fined-for-risking-lives-with-unsafe-roof-work/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push

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Health And Safety Executive, Redgrave Court
Bootle
L207HS

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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+441519514000

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