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


Warehouse

Campaigner hails ban on silencing victims of workplace sexual harassment as “huge milestone”

By Belinda Liversedge on 09 July 2025

A campaigner for women’s rights has welcomed an amendment to ban employers from using Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of workplace sexual harassment.



Inspector Istock 1460364502 RECVISUAL

Risk of breaching rules to increase under new employment rights watchdog

By Belinda Liversedge on 08 July 2025

A new single state enforcement agency for employment rights is due to start operating in April next year, the government has announced.



Reasonably Happy Farmer Istockphoto Aaj Watt MED (1)

Fatal accidents on long-term downward trend, says HSE as annual data is released

By Belinda Liversedge on 02 July 2025

HSE has warned against complacency after its annual statistics released today show that while fatalities have fallen, there are still areas of concern.