The health and safety spotlight is on the construction sector this week after HSE has successfully prosecuted Marlborough Highways Ltd, fining the firm £1 million following the tragic death of a road worker who was struck by a reversing road‑sweeper.
Why this matters to you
Fatalities like this remind us how unforgiving risks can be when vehicle movement, site layout, supervision, and control measures aren’t tightly managed. Even where controls exist, breakdowns in supervision or complacency can prove fatal. In this case, the vehicle’s reversing operation was central to the incident.
The same week, HSE also secured a suspended prison sentence for a contractor who ignored a prohibition notice and continued unsafe work at height and demolition, exposing workers to serious injury risk.
These cases together highlight two key lessons:
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Enforcement remains robust — ignoring HSE notices or failing to act on identified hazards carries serious consequences.
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The most common fatal risks (vehicle movement on site, working at height, demolition) continue to demand sustained vigilance.
Key Statistics: Where the risks still lie
In its latest safety statistics, HSE notes that while construction fatalities have broadly declined, approximately half of all construction site deaths are still due to falls from height. The figures show that, over 2024/25, 35 deaths occurred in construction (a rate of 1.65 deaths per 100,000 workers), slightly below the five‑year average of 40.
An additional takeaway: workers aged over 60 now account for roughly 40 % of fatal injuries, despite being only around 12 % of the workforce. This suggests that ageing workforce issues—such as reduced agility or pre‑existing health conditions—must be factored into risk assessments and controls.
What practical steps should firms take now?
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Revisit vehicle movement plans — rethink reversing strategies, ensure banksmen are competent, clear sightlines, and consider using reversing alarms or camera systems.
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Height work protocols — ensure fall protection systems (guardrails, harnesses, safe edge protections) are used, especially on sites with older or inexperienced workers.
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Active supervision & enforcement — it’s not enough to issue rules; supervisors must monitor compliance and act if deviations arise.
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Health & safety refresher training — using real case studies like these can reinforce lessons in safety behaviour and hazard awareness.
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Review your response to notices — in the event of HSE prohibition orders or enforcement action, comply immediately. Failing to act can escalate legal exposure.
How All Star Safety can help
We deliver tailored training, including refresher modules on vehicle safety, site movement, and working at height. Our NVQ assessors can validate your workforce competency in practical terms, and our safety consultancy team can audit your vehicle control plans and supervision frameworks to spot hidden weaknesses ahead of enforcement visits.
Let us help you stay ahead of risk, not behind it.
If you would like assistance in reviewing your site vehicle protocols, revising height safety training, or arranging consultancy audits, please contact us on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.