Construction Safety: Real HSE Cases and What They Tell Us

Mark Ardron
13 minutes ago
3 min read

Construction remains one of the UK’s highest-risk industries, with HSE prosecutions continuing to highlight the same core issues: poor planning, inadequate supervision and failures to control foreseeable risks.

Recent enforcement action shows that many serious incidents are not caused by complex or unusual hazards, but by everyday construction activities where basic controls were missing.

Below are real construction incidents investigated by the Health & Safety Executive, and the key lessons they highlight for duty holders.

Temporary Works Failures Can Have Serious Consequences

In one case, a construction company was fined after a newly built blockwork wall collapsed onto a steel fixer, causing life-changing injuries. The HSE investigation found that no temporary works procedure had been put in place and that backfilling had taken place before the wall had gained sufficient strength.

Temporary works are often treated as routine, but without proper planning, design and supervision, they can pose a significant risk. Walls, excavations and structures under construction or alteration all require careful consideration to ensure stability at every stage of the work.

Falls from Height Remain a Leading Cause of Injury

A sole trader was prosecuted after a worker fell approximately 10 feet from a flat roof where no edge protection had been provided. The worker suffered serious injuries, and the investigation identified repeated failures to properly assess and control work at height risks.

Falls from height continue to be one of the most common causes of serious injury in construction. Effective planning, suitable access equipment and collective protection measures remain essential to prevent these incidents.

Unprotected Openings Put Workers at Risk

In another prosecution, a worker was seriously injured after falling through an unprotected floor opening. The site lacked edge protection, warning signage and adequate supervision at the time of the incident.

Openings are a well-known hazard on construction sites, particularly as work progresses and layouts change. They must be clearly identified, suitably protected and regularly checked to ensure controls remain effective.

Structural Stability During Alteration Works

During refurbishment works, three workers were seriously injured when an unsupported chimney breast and gable wall collapsed. The HSE found that no adequate precautions had been taken to maintain structural stability during the work.

Alteration and refurbishment projects can introduce complex risks, particularly where load-bearing elements are affected. Careful sequencing, structural assessment and appropriate support measures are critical to prevent collapse.

Managing Risks to the Public Around Construction Sites

In a particularly serious case, a corroded cast iron pipe fell from scaffolding and struck a five-year-old child, causing a fractured skull. The incident was linked to failures in identifying and controlling foreseeable risks to members of the public.

Construction risk assessments must extend beyond workers on site. Public safety, site boundaries, falling objects and perimeter controls all require careful planning and ongoing monitoring.

How Armadillo Safety Solutions Can Support Construction Projects

At Armadillo Safety Solutions, we support construction businesses by helping them identify and control the types of risks highlighted in these cases. Our construction support includes: