The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently published its annual statistics together with a list of the top ten health and safety prosecutions of 2023. These fines demonstrate the serious financial consequences of breaching H&S obligations which lead to fatalities and life-changing injuries…
Tenth Highest: Network Rail fined £1.2m after a man was crushed to death while performing maintenance work.
Ninth Highest: A Birmingham-based company was fined £1.275m after the death of a worked who was crushed at a quarry in Leicestershire while undertaking maintenance work.
Eighth Highest: A cider manufacturer was fined £1.4m after the death of a man who was killed after being struck by a security barrier – on his 65th birthday.
Seventh Highest: In Birmingham, two company directors were jailed after a wall collapse killed five people. Both of the companies involved were issued a combined fine of £1.6m.
Sixth Highest: A combined fine of £2.2m was imposed on two major transport companies after a man was hit with a heavy goods vehicle (HGV).
Fifth Highest: Security business SERCO was fined £2.25m for breaching H&S obligations after the death of a custody officer.
Fourth Highest: A waste management firm was fined £3.5m after two of their workers died in separate incidents.
Third Highest: Morrisons – the supermarket giant, was fined £3.5m for failing to safeguard the safety of an employee with epilepsy, who died after falling from a company stairway.
Second Highest: Network Rail was issued a fine of £6.7m following the Stonehaven derailment in 2020, which caused three deaths.
First Highest: The highest fine of 2023 went to Transport for London (TfL), who was fined £10m following the Croydon tram disaster. Alongside this, Tram Operations Ltd were issued a fine of £4m.
As an employer, it’s imperative to ensure health and safety standards are maintained. Quest Business Services can provide you with advice and guidance on your legal obligations, help minimise the risk of any incidents or fatalities, and avoid any serious financial repercussions.
For more information and advice, employers are advised to call the H&S Helpline on 01455 852 028.
