Last year, some big health and safety fines were issued, with the top six hitting the million-pound mark. We examine the largest penalties of 2024 so far.
This year is following in the footsteps of 2023, with the six highest penalties reaching well into the millions and the top two fines making it onto the list of the biggest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) fines of all time. With over a quarter of the year remaining, this is a concern.
While it is encouraging that companies that breach regulations meet serious consequences, it is also alarming that breaches warrant such large penalties. There has been an upward trend in the highest health and safety fines in recent years, with the biggest fine in 2022 being over double the highest fine in 2020.
However, the largest penalty in 2023 broke this trend. Ideally, the number of fines issued year on year would decrease. Health and safety training helps companies avoid workplace accidents and the penalties that come with them.
According to the most recent HSE statistics, falls from height remain the biggest reason for fatal accidents among UK workers. This, together with being struck by a moving vehicle, account for around 70% of all fatal workplace injuries in 2023/2024.
Construction is still the most dangerous industry in terms of health and safety, with the largest number of deaths attributed to this industry.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that in 2022/2023:
We have examined the UK's biggest health and safety fines over the past few years to help you understand how to avoid making the same simple mistakes.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2(1)
A recycling company, Veolia ES (UK) Limited, has been fined £3 million after a tragic accident during the decommissioning of a North Sea gas rig resulted in the death of one worker and serious injuries to another.
An investigation by the HSE found significant failures in Veolia's planning, risk assessment, and supervision. The company had not properly assessed the risks associated with the task, leading to inadequate safety measures. As a result, Veolia pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations and was fined.
"This incident, in an emerging industry, highlights the level of controls required to safely demolish what are large, dangerous structures. Veolia did not meet these standards and tragically one life was lost, and another forever changed."
- David King, Inspector, HSE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2(1)
BAM Nuttall Ltd has been fined £2.345 million following the death of worker Gary Webster, who drowned in the River Aire in October 2017. Mr Webster and another worker were on a boat removing debris from Knostrop Weir when their boat capsised in turbulent water.
An HSE investigation revealed that BAM Nuttall Ltd had trained operatives who could have controlled the weir gates to slow the water flow, allowing debris to be safely removed. However, the company failed to implement this procedure.
“[BAM Nuttall Ltd] failed to ensure that suitable safety measures were in place and failed to put in place a safe system of work. This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.”
- Jayne Towey, inspector, HSE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2 (1)
Openreach Limited has been fined £1.34 million following the death of engineer Alun Owen, who slipped and fell into the River Aber in Abergwyngregyn in October 2020 during a repair job.
Despite attempts by several engineers over two months to fix telephone lines running across the river, no safe system was in place for working near water. Owen, 32, received no training or instructions on water safety. Flooding had made the river particularly dangerous at the time of the incident.
HSE inspector Christina Roberts emphasised that Owen's death was preventable and criticised the lack of proper safety measures, urging companies to learn from this tragedy to avoid similar incidents.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Section 2
CF Booth Limited, a Yorkshire metals recycling company, has been fined £1.2 million after a worker was injured by a 32-tonne skip wagon at their Rotherham site in August 2020. The employee was not wearing a hi-vis jacket and was struck while crossing the yard.
The driver, focusing on manoeuvring around low-level skips, did not see the pedestrian. The worker sustained a fractured skull and collarbone but has since recovered.
An HSE investigation revealed the site lacked proper organisation to safely manage pedestrian and vehicle circulation, and there was no adequate transport risk assessment. The accident could have been prevented with proper risk assessment and control measures like barriers and crossing points.
“If CF Booth Limited had assessed the risks and ensured vehicles and pedestrians could circulate in a safe manner, this incident could have easily been avoided."
- Kirstie Durrans, inspector, HSE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 3(1)
Tata Chemicals Europe Limited has been fined following the death of Michael Densmore, a 37-year-old father of four from Merseyside, who died after an incident at their Northwich plant.
In November 2016, while erecting a scaffold tower, Mr Densmore slipped and fell into a trough containing heated calcium hydroxide, sustaining severe chemical and thermal burns. An HSE investigation revealed significant safety lapses: no permit for hazardous work was in place, and risks were poorly managed.
The scaffolding team had not been properly informed about the presence of hazardous chemicals or the insecure lids covering the troughs. Mr Densmore received only a brief induction and was unaware of the dangers. Tata Chemicals Europe has previously faced prosecutions for health and safety violations at the same site and another nearby.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2 (1)
A logistics company, Southampton Container Terminals Limited (trading as DP World Southampton), has been fined £1 million after an employee suffered severe injuries from a fall. He sustained multiple fractures, including to his skull, back, pelvis, arm, wrist, and ankle.
The hole he fell through had been left exposed by contractors replacing a glass floor, creating a serious fall risk for workers. An investigation by the HSE revealed that the company failed to establish a safe system of work, which would have protected Mr. Hooper and others from such dangers.
The investigation also found that there was no proper risk assessment in place and that the company neglected to follow its own safety procedures, including the use of permits for work at height.
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Keltbray Limited faced a hefty fine of £900,000 after an incident involving a harrowing fall from a height of 6 meters. The gravity of the situation was evident as the company had already allocated a substantial provision of £6 million in its latest financial accounts to address what was termed a "civil regulatory matter" linked to this unfortunate event.
The beginning of this issue can be traced back to a prior management team, indicating that the repercussions of lax safety measures persisted despite leadership changes. The potential range of liability stemming from this incident is staggering, estimated between £3.9 million and £16 million, underscoring the seriousness of the oversight and its enduring ramifications.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2 (1)
A military explosives manufacturer, Chemring Countermeasures Limited, has been fined £670,000 following a fatal explosion at its factory near Salisbury. The incident occurred in August 2018 while two workers were handling MTV, an explosive substance used in military flares.
Piotr Zukowski was partially inside a vessel during cleaning when residual explosive material ignited, killing him instantly. Another worker, Jake West, was severely burned in the resulting fireball.
An investigation by the HSE revealed significant safety lapses by Chemring Countermeasures. The company had not conducted a proper risk assessment, failed to detect the accumulation of explosive material in equipment, and did not implement adequate safety controls. Additionally, poor supervision led to routine violations of safety procedures.
The company, which holds an HSE-granted explosives license, was found to be operating in violation of several license conditions, including unsafe access routes and improper use of doors within the facility. The case highlights the critical importance of strict adherence to safety protocols in high-risk industries.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Regulation 16(2), by non-compliance with Regulation 25(4)
MHS Homes, a housing company based in Kent, has been fined £528,000 after an employee suffered facial burns from striking an underground cable while repairing a fence post. On January 10, 2023, the employee and a colleague were tasked with repairing three fence posts in a tenant's garden. While breaking through concrete, one worker accidentally hit an underground electrical cable. An HSE investigation revealed that MHS Homes regularly performed ground excavations but failed to provide information on the location of underground utilities or the tools needed for safe excavation. The company had identified the risk of underground services in a 2017 risk assessment but did not implement necessary safety measures.
“Underground services are widespread and represent a significant risk. It is important measures are taken to identify them before any excavation work is undertaken. Those excavating the ground need to ensure that they obtain service plans prior to the work taking place. It is also vital that employees are provided with the correct tools and detection equipment to do their work safely.”
- Peter Bruce, inspector, HSE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2(1)
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been fined £480,000 following an incident where an employee lost consciousness and sustained a brain injury while clearing a blocked drain.
The employee was discovered in a manhole on the hospital premises by colleagues and was rescued by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. He was treated for acute sulphate intoxication. This led to a traumatic brain injury with enduring effects such as memory loss and nerve damage.
An investigation by the HSE revealed lapses in safety protocols by the Trust, including a failure to recognise the manhole as a confined space and inadequate risk assessment. Moreover, the Trust neglected to implement measures to prevent staff from entering confined spaces and lacked proper training for the estates team on the hazards associated with such activities.
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