‘James Bond’ builder who threatened HSE inspectors found guilty
A builder who threatened inspectors from HSE and told them his name was James Bond has been fined over £10,000 in fines and costs.
By Belinda Liversedge on 23 January 2026
working at height
“I’m not prepared to sit back and assume everybody’s fine”
Director of health and safety at the Canal & River Trust, Anne Gardner-Aston, shares what she’s most proud of achieving in the past four years since taking on a new role in the wake of a turbulent moment in the charity’s history.
By Belinda Liversedge on 02 January 2026
HSE take over criminal investigation into death of Gogglebox star
HSE has formally taken over the criminal investigation into the death of George Gilbey, the Gogglebox star who died last year in a fall from height.
By Belinda Liversedge on 21 August 2025
Are you checking PASMA cards properly?
PASMA cards are a reliable way of checking operatives have been properly trained to correctly build and safely use mobile access towers, tower scaffolds and low level access equipment. However, it’s essential to carefully check things like the type of tower they are qualified on before allowing them to begin work on-site.
By Don Aers, PASMA on 02 May 2025
Work at height: never disregard the dangers
I suffered devastating injuries in a totally preventable fall from height at work, and I’m passionate in encouraging all employers to do more to educate workers about the dangers of taking short-cuts with safety.
By Paul Blanchard, Life After an Accident on 19 May 2025
A false dichotomy: safety regulation vs. economic prosperity
In recent months, political leaders around the world have rallied behind an all too familiar battle cry: seeking to slash “red tape” and unlock promised profits, productivity, and potential. This pledge for regulatory reduction perpetuates a dangerous and false dichotomy - that safety regulations and economic prosperity exist only in opposition to one another. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 02 May 2025
Ladder Association embarks on latest phase of market surveillance
Research by the Ladder Association has repeatedly revealed serious concerns about the safety and quality of telescopic ladders sold in the UK via online marketplaces. Now, the Association is expanding its market surveillance, research and testing programme to cover ladders sold by physical stores, to both root out non-compliant ladders and identify those that are good quality and safe to use.
By Peter Bennett OBE, Ladder Association on 01 May 2025
Holistically speaking: an interview with safety psychologist Dr Tim Marsh
Safety psychologist, Dr Tim Marsh is a well-known figure on the international conference and events circuit, regularly giving talks on the importance of taking a holistic approach to health, safety and wellbeing.
By Kerry Reals, British Safety Council on 01 April 2025
Roofer handed suspended sentence after worker fell from ladder
A self-employed roofer has received a suspended prison sentence after a worker he employed fell from a ladder while carrying roof tiles.
By Kerry Reals on 13 February 2025
Building firm with ‘outdated’ attitude to safety fined after steeplejack fell to his death while restoring church
A construction company has been fined £60,000 after a worker fell to his death while carrying out restoration work on a 60-metre tall church steeple.
By Kerry Reals on 21 January 2025
