Ensure you are working safely at height

Falls when working at height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality

HSE's annual fatality statistics reported that there were 50 fatal injuries caused by falling from height in 2023/24.

Make sure you take the necessary precautions and visit our guidance on working at height to understand how you can protect workers.

The HSE website has a range of useful information and sources of advice for employers. They include:

• key messages to follow before working from height
• guidance on the safe use of ladders and stepladders
• useful resources for working at height including our relevant publications which are free to download
  
  

Routine HSE inspection results in £150,000 fine

A food manufacturing company was fined £150,000 following the visit 

The fine was issued when HSE's inspector identified multiple failings related to the guarding of machinery.

Three machines were deemed unsafe due to interlocking safety devices being defeated and guards being completely removed.

The food company had previously been issued prohibition notices in both 2016 and 2019.

For more information read our press release on how a routine inspection resulted in a £150,000 fine.

Visit our news centre for full details of our recent enforcement cases

First aid at work publications

Earlier this year HSE updated 2 publications on first aid at work:

• First aid at work: Guidance on regulations
  This publication sets out what you need to do to address first aid provision in the workplace. The updates include emphasising employers’ responsibilities to take account of workers' mental health in their first aid needs assessment
  
  
• Selecting a first aid training provider: A guide for employers
  This guidance helps you identify and select a competent training provider to deliver your first aid training needs. It was updated to simplify what employers should consider when selecting a training provider

The updates do not change what is required to comply with the law.

For further advice, resources and information visit our guidance pages.

HSE as a market surveillance authority for workplace products

HSE monitors and enforces legal requirements on the safety of most products used in the workplace, including any risks to health

HSE has a duty to notify the Secretary of State about unsafe or non-compliant products and of the measures taken and communicated by an economic operator.   

Products notified to the HSE Product Safety and Market Surveillance Unit that present a serious or high risk to the health and safety of the user, and products that have been recalled, are published on GOV.UK under Product Recalls and Alerts.    

Recent examples of products notified are:   

• 3M Face Shield, Polycarbonate, Gold-Plated, 5XG-IR5

Working for HSE

At HSE we help to protect lives and livelihoods. As well as inspectors, we employ scientists, economists, IT and digital specialists, engineers, health professionals, communicators and much more...

For a full list of current vacancies, as well as further information about working for HSE, visit our careers website.