HSE Construction Safety Update – November 2025
Enforcement & Inspection Focus
HSE is carrying out over 14,000 targeted site inspections across the UK construction sector, prioritising occupational health risks (dust, silica, asbestos, noise, vibration, MSDs) and checking health surveillance records.
The latest inspection campaigns pay special attention to adequate segregation of vehicles and pedestrians on sites after a £1m fine was issued for a fatal vehicle incident due to failed traffic management systems and lack of banksmen.
Recent prosecutions have targeted falls from height, inadequate scaffolding, and improper lifting operations, with fatal and serious incidents leading to substantial fines and increased scrutiny on supervision and safe systems of work.
New Compliance Requirements
The Building Safety Act continues to introduce stricter rules for high-rise and higher-risk buildings, including mandatory building control approval and updated fire safety standards for both design and construction phases.
Principal contractors must demonstrate enhanced competence through up-to-date records, ongoing training, and evidence of CDM 2015 regulatory compliance—especially for high-rise developments and residential projects.
Projects subject to new building control regimes must register with the HSE as Building Safety Regulator, particularly for buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys.
Recent Construction Sector Incidents
Falls from height remain a leading cause of death and serious injury in construction; recent cases include fatal falls from unguarded scaffolding and injury caused by falling pipes, resulting in prosecutions and heavy fines for contractors and site directors.
Health and safety managers are urged to review working at height procedures, inspection routines for scaffolding, guard rails, and lifting gear to prevent recurrences.
Industry Actions for November
- Ensure robust risk assessments address vehicle movements, falls from height, and manual handling, with clear segregation and safe work systems implemented throughout all sites.
- Principal contractors should audit competence records and ensure all operatives receive site-specific safety briefings, focusing on current HSE guidance for site hazards.
- Register all new higher-risk building projects with the Building Safety Regulator and comply with updated control application procedures before commencing works.
- Review health surveillance arrangements for dusts, noise, and manual handling, making sure compliance documents are up to date and retained for HSE inspection.
Construction company fined £1m following death of employee
16th October 2025
A construction company that specialises in road resurfacing in London has been fined £1m after one of its employees was killed by a reversing road-sweeper.
Robert Morris, 48, was working on the resurfacing of Pemberton Road in Haringey for Marlborough Highways Limited on 30 May 2022. A colleague was at the wheel of the vehicle and Robert was struck while it was reversing.
A joint investigation was launched between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Metropolitan Police. The police submitted evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) leading to a separate prosecution, which resulted in the driver being given a suspended prison sentence.
The HSE investigation identified a number of failings. There was no segregation between people and moving vehicles on site and a banksman was not used when the road sweeper reversed and struck Mr Morris. The traffic management systems in place at the site were inadequate and unsafe, placing employees and members of the public at risk of serious injury and death.
The majority of construction transport accidents result from the inadequate segregation of pedestrians and vehicles. This can usually be avoided by careful planning, particularly at the design stage, and by controlling vehicle operations during construction work.
The safe use of vehicles on construction sites: A guide for clients, designers, contractors, managers and workers involved with construction transport – HSE provides detailed guidance on the importance of a safe site and the segregation of people and vehicles.
Marlborough Highways Limited of Woolf House Eagle Way, Chelmsford Garden, Chelmsford pleaded guilty to Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at the first opportunity. The company was fined £1million, with full costs awarded in the sum of £6,028, at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 3 October 2025.
In the separate CPS case, Jamie Smith, 46, from Essex, who was also an employee of the company, was prosecuted for an offence of causing death by careless driving contrary to section 2B of the Road Traffic Act 1988. He pleaded guilty and in February 2024, at Wood Green Crown Court, he was sentenced to a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving for one year.
HSE principal inspector James Goldfinch said: “Our thoughts are with Robert’s family, described by his widow as ‘the centre of our world’. She says his children are ‘sad and angry and cheated of so much of their future’.
“Robert was entitled to return home safely from work to his family but the lack of segregation of vehicles and pedestrians by Marlborough Highways Limited meant he did not.
“This was a case where appropriate controls had been identified but were not being implemented on site.”
Introduction
Safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians on construction sites is essential for preventing accidents, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting project efficiency. Throughout the UK, site traffic incidents remain a significant risk, but effective planning and management can prevent most incidents and injuries.
Key Safety Principles
Segregation of Vehicles and Pedestrians: The greatest risk is from inadequate separation of vehicles and people. Site design must ensure physically distinct routes for vehicles and pedestrian walkways, protected by barriers, clearly marked crossings, and proper signage.
Minimising Vehicle Movements: Reducing unnecessary vehicle journeys within the site cuts down on risks. This can be achieved by strategic scheduling, clear delivery booking systems, and designated turning or loading areas.
Controlled Access: Entrances and exits should be separately designated for vehicles and pedestrians, checked and supervised during site hours. Access points must be well-lit, clearly marked, and monitored by marshals or access control officers.
Site Inductions and Toolbox Talks: All operatives and visitors must receive tailored site induction training with specific traffic management procedures, routes, and emergency protocols covered. Ongoing toolbox talks reinforce good practice and compliance.
Traffic Routes and Layout
Site Plans: Develop and display a schematic plan showing site traffic flows, pedestrian routes, turning points, and restricted zones. Routes should minimise need for reversing, use one-way systems where possible, and have surfaces suitable for the expected traffic type.
Lighting and Visibility: All traffic routes must be well-lit, especially during low-light conditions. Blind corners and junctions should have warning mirrors, barriers, or marshals present at busy times.
Barriers and Signage: Use physical barriers, cones, and fencing to protect work zones and segregate pathways. Install clear, recognisable warning and directional signage—especially at crossings, access points, and vehicle entry/exits.
Control Measures
Speed Management: Impose strict speed limits tailored to the site conditions, often lower than public road norms. Reinforce speed rules via signage and regular enforcement checks; consider automatic speed monitoring or marshal observation where appropriate.
Traffic Marshals: Assign trained marshals at key access and movement points, ensuring eye contact and clear visual signals for drivers during entry, exit, and complex manoeuvres.
Monitoring Systems: Maintain vehicle movement logs, conduct routine spot checks on compliance, and review effectiveness of traffic control every project phase. Use checklists and digital logs to support documentation and reporting for safety audits.
Emergency and Contingency Planning
Rapid Response Protocols: Prepare contingency plans for traffic incidents, vehicle breakdowns, and emergency evacuation. Store temporary signage, cones, and barrier materials for immediate deployment. Ensure emergency routes are always accessible and unobstructed.
Communication: Set up rapid communication channels (radios, phones) between marshals, site supervisors, and workers. Daily briefings should include traffic updates, hazards, and planned changes.
Incident Response: Designate a trained Traffic Safety and Control Officer to oversee response, documentation, and incident resolution as outlined in the Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).
Training, Supervision, and Continuous Improvement
- Organise regular refresher training on traffic safety, especially after site changes or incidents.
- Encourage a culture of reporting hazards, near misses, and suggestions for safer site traffic operations.
- Review control measures after every significant change or near miss—update CTMP and procedures as necessary.
Compliance and Auditing
Ensure procedures comply with HSE guidance and national standards, like those under the NHSS for traffic management, and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) for site-based traffic management services.
Monitor adherence with spot checks, monthly audits, and external HSE reviews. Document all findings and remediation steps.
Example Safety Checklist
| Safety Measure | Standard | Compliance Required |
| Pedestrian/vehicle segregation | Barriers, crossings | Yes (site plan & signage) |
| Controlled access | Marshals, checks | Yes (training/logs) |
| Speed limits | 10–20 mph typical | Yes (signage/enforcement) |
| Traffic marshals | At busy points | Recommended |
| Vehicle logs | Digital or manual | Yes (spot checks) |
| Emergency protocols | Pre-planned, briefed | Yes (rapid-response) |
Conclusion and Key Reminders
- Develop and maintain a living Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)—review and update regularly.
- Prioritise physical segregation, visibility enhancements, and strict access control on every site.
- Invest in continuous training, clear site communication, and proactive incident planning.
- Remember, nearly all site traffic incidents can be prevented. Vigilant planning, monitoring, and enforcement safeguard both workers and visitors on construction projects.
November Spotlight: Sustainability in Construction
November brings a renewed focus on eco-friendly practices throughout the construction industry, driven by both global climate events and local project innovations. Building World Congress in Barcelona from 4–6 November will showcase global solutions for green, resilient infrastructure. These international spotlights reinforce how sustainability is shaping the future of construction, with new standards and materials emerging this season.
Practical Tips for a Greener Construction Site
Opt for green materials: such as recycled steel, reclaimed wood, and low-carbon concrete to lower your project’s environmental footprint.
Use energy-efficient solutions: LED site lighting, solar-powered equipment, and improved HVAC systems help reduce emissions and operational costs.
Conserve water: with rainwater harvesting and efficient fixtures; introduce xeriscaping and drought-tolerant planting for landscaping.
Correctly manage tyre waste: choose construction tyres designed for sustainability, ensuring proper disposal to cut environmental harm.
Encourage green commuting: provide bike parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and promote carpooling for workers.
Invest in biodiversity: choose native plants, create green spaces, and integrate habitats to support local ecosystems.
Prioritise workforce training: run sustainability workshops, share guidelines, and align everyone with environmental goals to ensure best practice site management.
News Highlights and Innovations
- Bio-fabricated materials—such as self-repairing or carbon-storing building elements—are set for mass production thanks to new EU-backed projects, promising to cut life-cycle emissions and improve building resilience.
- Amazon is piloting mass timber in new facilities, exploring how renewable materials can shape lower-carbon logistics buildings for the future.
- GlobalABC at COP30 will focus on building decarbonisation and resilience, with ministers gathering on November 20 to chart industry-wide pathways toward net zero emissions by 2050.
- UK and Europe’s push for adaptable, disassemblable design methods is progressing this autumn, enabling easier renovation, resource reuse, and long-term sustainability in the built environment.
November is the perfect time for site teams to reflect on environmental impacts, seek inspiration from these global developments, and adopt proven, practical steps—big or small—to help build a more sustainable future.
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