News

Prosecutions for safety breaches reach record low

By on

Prosecutions for health and safety breaches have reached a record low, HSE has revealed prompting warnings that bosses are prepared to flout safety laws because they no longer fear consequences.


HSE prosecuted 394 cases in 2018/19, a decrease of 23 per cent from 2017/18, statistics show. It is the lowest number for five years and represents a drop of over a third since 2014/15, when 600 cases resulted in a conviction at court.

Unite national officer Jerry Swain called the figures ‘deeply concerning’ particularly as there has been a rise in injuries in sectors. 

Looking at the RIDDOR reportable non-fatal injuries for construction workers, these rose from 359 per 100,000 workers in 2017/18 to 366 in 2018/19. Swain said: “This is a dangerous cocktail and it will likely to result in a greater number of workers being injured and possibly killed unless urgent action is taken to reverse this trend.”

“Too many employers in construction remain prepared to ignore safety laws, to boost profits, as they believe that they won’t be caught,” he added. 

A greater number of trainee HSE inspectors could be behind last year’s 23 per cent drop in prosecutions, as they are taking longer to investigate cases. Photograph: iStock/danchooalexA greater number of trainee HSE inspectors could be behind last year’s 23 per cent drop in prosecutions, as they are taking longer to investigate cases. Photograph: iStock/danchooalex

HSE says in its report, which is a snapshot of data on injuries and ill health in 2019, that it is exploring if “a larger than normal number of inspectors in training” could be a factor in the fall.

HSE this year ran a nationwide recruitment drive for new inspectors, as well as appointing 24 trainee inspectors.

Inspectors are taking longer to complete their investigations. In 2018/19 just 65 per cent of fatal investigations were completed within 12 months of the incident, compared with 81 per cent the year before.

£54.5 million in fines were issued for health and safety offences last year, versus £71.6 million in 2017/18, but the average fine has stayed the same. This suggests the drop in total fines is due to the decrease in cases completed.

NEWS


Smiley Faces Istock 1070828464

Workers report having to engage in ‘emotional labour’ to remain positive, finds study on emerging technologies

By Belinda Liversedge on 29 August 2025

Emerging technologies have the potential to fundamentally reshape the world of work. These technologies can enhance productivity and, in many sectors, improve occupational safety and health (OSH) outcomes for workers. However, they may also introduce new risks that are difficult to anticipate and manage.



First Aid Istock MED Peopleimages

Lack of first aid skills leave a third of workers feeling powerless, finds St John Ambulance study

By Belinda Liversedge on 29 August 2025

Four in five employees genuinely care for colleagues, but couldn’t help them in an emergency such if they had a cardiac arrest or were severely bleeding, new research from St John Ambulance has found.



Surveillance Of Workers Istock 2212934429 OLEKSANDR KOZACHOK

HSE defends use of AI for protecting workers at AGM

By Belinda Liversedge on 12 August 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on work practices was a significant feature of HSE’s AGM in which the regulator presented on its work and priorities.