HSE-2026-001HSE30 Jul 2026Life-changing injury
- Category
- Working at height
- Phase
- Dismantling
A worker suffered multiple back fractures, a punctured lung and a broken leg while dismantling a steel event structure. The contractor and a director were prosecuted after HSE found the work had not been properly planned or safely carried out.
Contributing factors- No adequate method statement
- Inadequate fall protection
- Poor sequencing of dismantling
- Lack of supervision
Read the full account →HSE-2026-006HSE22 Jul 2026Life-changing injury
- Category
- Working at height
- Phase
- Dismantling
A worker was seriously injured falling from a tipping bucket being used to gain height while dismantling pipework. The principal contractor was fined for failing to properly manage contractors and site safety.
Contributing factors- Improvised access equipment used
- Inadequate contractor management
- No suitable work at height plan
- Insufficient site supervision
Read the full account →HSE-2026-007HSE8 Jul 2026Fatality
- Category
- Structural collapse & stability
- Phase
- Dismantling
A worker was ejected from a scissor lift when a series of cleanroom wall panels collapsed during dismantling. He died from his injuries, and the contractor was fined following an investigation into inadequate risk assessment.
Contributing factors- No suitable and sufficient risk assessment
- No safe removal sequence for panels
- Unprotected working position on scissor lift
- Reliance on adjoining panels for stability not assessed
Read the full account →HSE-2026-002HSE9 Mar 2026Prosecution
- Category
- Asbestos & hazardous materials
- Phase
- Structural demolition
Demolition work at a site in Staffordshire was stopped after asbestos was discovered, but an unlicensed company and individual were then brought in to manage the clean-up instead of a licensed asbestos contractor. An investigation found the demolition had not been properly planned or managed, leading to prosecution of two companies and a site manager.
Contributing factors- Inadequate pre-demolition survey
- Unlicensed contractor used for asbestos work
- Poor planning and management of demolition
- Unclear responsibilities between contractors
Read the full account →HSE-2026-003HSE2 Feb 2026Fatality
- Category
- Working at height
- Phase
- Structural demolition
A 19-year-old worker died after falling through a fragile garage roof during demolition work where no measures had been taken to prevent or mitigate a fall. The contractor responsible for the work was jailed for 12 months.
Contributing factors- No fall prevention or mitigation measures
- Fragile roof not identified or assessed
- Inadequate supervision of young worker
- No pre-task planning for work at height
Read the full account →HSE-2025-008HSE20 Nov 2025Prosecution
- Category
- Asbestos & hazardous materials
- Phase
- Soft strip
Workers dismantling wall panelling disturbed asbestos-containing material that had not been identified in earlier surveys. The contractor was fined for failures in assessment, training and emergency arrangements.
Contributing factors- Incomplete asbestos survey
- Inadequate worker training
- No emergency arrangements
- Poor pre-work assessment
Read the full account →HSE-2025-004HSE9 Oct 2025Enforcement
- Category
- Working at height
- Phase
- Structural demolition
A contractor continued unsafe working-at-height and demolition-related activity after the regulator had issued action to stop it, putting workers at risk of serious injury. The matter resulted in a suspended sentence and a requirement to carry out unpaid work.
Contributing factors- Prohibition notice ignored
- Poor safety culture
- Programme pressure overriding safety
- Inadequate management oversight
Read the full account →HSE-2025-005HSE29 Sept 2025Injury
- Category
- Temporary works
- Phase
- Structural demolition
During structural alterations to a house, removal of load-bearing elements led to a roof collapse that destroyed the property and injured three workers. The contractor received a suspended custodial sentence and the homeowner was left with a substantial rebuild bill.
Contributing factors- No temporary works design
- Removal of load-bearing structure without support
- Inadequate competence assessment
- Poor sequencing of works
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