A worker suffered life‑changing injuries on 12 August 2023 while performing a working at height task, when he fell four metres through a fragile rooflight at an industrial estate in High Wycombe, while cleaning and repairing gutters and drains for Jenner Roofing and Building Services. The incident resulted in a fractured skull, cheekbone, leg fracture and broken wrist. Daniel Jenner, trading as Jenner Roofing and Building Services, received an eight‑month suspended sentence, was ordered to complete 280 hours of unpaid work and to pay £500 costs at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 21 January 2026. The HSE investigation found that no work‑at‑height measures were in place to prevent workers from falling from unguarded roof edges or through the fragile roof covering. There were also no mitigation controls for either the distance of a fall or its impact. Jenner pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. HSE Lead Inspector Sophie Neale said: “This was a tragic but avoidable incident, where an individual suffered life‑changing injuries due to working at height. Had suitable control measures been implemented, such as fall prevention or fall mitigation measures,” “This prosecution highlights ongoing safety failures in the construction industry, where working at height remains one of the leading causes

This inspection obstruction case involved a site manager in Staffordshire, identified as David Robert Lane, 59, who repeatedly refused to cooperate with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors and issued threats. The offence occurred during routine inspections on 11 February 2025 when unsafe work at height was observed, leading to a fine of £3,000, court costs of £6,450 and a victim surcharge of £1,200. Under section 33(1)(h) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, obstruction of an HSE inspector is a criminal offence. Lane pleaded guilty after being tried in his absence at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 9 January 2026, having previously failed to attend twice. The investigation revealed that two inspectors spotted workers accessing a roof from the bucket of an excavator – a clearly unsafe practice. When the inspectors approached, Lane identified himself only as “James Bond”, claimed ownership of the site, and told the team that the men were unpaid friends with no legal right to be inspected. He escalated the situation by shouting “It’s PC Plod!” when police accompanied a second inspection visit a week later, continuing to deny their authority. HSE inspector Gareth Langston said: “This case highlights the difficulties we face in trying to improve the health and safety of workers

A tragic machine guarding failure at Stanley Wire Limited resulted in the death of employee David Lockwood. The incident highlights how inadequate safeguarding of moving parts can have fatal consequences, and why a robust machine guarding failure risk assessment is essential. Sheffield Magistrates’ Court fined the company £140,000 on 22 January 2026 after it was found guilty of breaching health and safety legislation. The incident occurred at the company’s Penistone site in South Yorkshire when Mr Lockwood became entangled in an unguarded wire drawing and recoiling machine – known as a ‘Gravity Block’. The machine’s moving parts were exposed, allowing the worker to be caught and suffer fatal injuries. HSE investigations revealed that no effective guarding, interlocks or pressure mats were installed, and workers had not been given formal training on safe operation. HSE Inspector Charlotte Bligh said: “Following the incident, eight Prohibition Notices were served on the company. The remedial action taken demonstrated that appropriate measures, such as effective guarding, were readily available and could have been put in place had the risks associated with the activity been properly considered. “Companies are reminded that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the

Steam release safety is critical in industrial plants. Syngenta Ltd, a global chemicals company, was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,288 after a dangerous high‑pressure steam release at its Huddersfield site. Investigation details The incident occurred on 6 November 2023 when a mechanical fitter was replacing a faulty steam trap on small‑bore pipework. While cutting corroded flange bolts with a battery‑powered reciprocating saw, the isolation valve failed, allowing high‑pressure steam to escape. High‑pressure steam systems are integral to many chemical manufacturing processes, providing energy for heating and reaction control. When not properly isolated, the stored energy can be released instantaneously, creating temperatures above 200 °C that cause severe burns or fatal injuries in seconds. Corrosion of valves and bolts compromises their ability to seal, making regular inspection essential. Key findings from the HSE investigation The isolation valve and flange bolts were severely corroded, compromising their integrity. Due to widespread corrosion, it had become routine practice to cut bolts with power tools rather than unscrew them—a method that reduces the ability to control trapped pressure. Use of a single method of isolation breached Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which requires

Illegal Gas Work Sentenced A man was sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work that put a family in Ulverston at serious risk, resulting in three dangerous gas leaks and a loss of heating for six weeks. Lee Lancaster, 38, received a 12‑month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and £2,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Gas installations are high‑risk systems; any unauthorised or unqualified intervention can lead to leaks, fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. The law requires all gas work to be performed by a registered engineer who holds the appropriate qualifications. Failure to comply not only endangers lives but also breaches statutory duties under Regulations 3(1) and 3(3) of the 1998 Act. HSE Inspector Matthew Shepherd said: “The risks from uncontrolled gas leaks are well known and can be fatal. “Mr Lancaster knew he was unqualified and not Gas Safe registered yet still took on this work, putting a family in very real danger. “We will not hesitate to take action against anyone undertaking gas work where they are not competent or registered to do so.” Illegal Gas Work – Key Findings Lee Lancaster carried out gas pipework and installed a

Machine guarding failure leads to £633,300 fine at Tarmac plant A national manufacturer of building materials was fined £633,300 after a worker’s legs were crushed between moving metal frames on a production line at its Linford, Essex plant. The incident occurred on 22 July 2022 when Richard Ogunleye entered a fenced area to clean and inspect frames, and a moving frame entered the zone, crushing his legs. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must ensure that dangerous parts of machinery are effectively guarded. When this protection fails, the consequences can be life‑changing for employees and financially devastating for businesses. The HSE investigation found that Tarmac Building Products Limited allowed an employee to enter a fenced area through an interlocked gate that did not stop the power on preceding sections of track. As a result, a moving frame entered the zone and crushed Ogunleye’s legs. The company also failed to act on several near‑misses and had not implemented additional control measures identified in an old risk assessment. Key Findings from the Investigation The worker’s legs were crushed between one‑tonne metal frames moving on a production line. The hazard was unguarded machinery that could move when employees