Last reviewed: 28 September 2026. Figures and rules can change – always confirm on the official links.

Two major HSE prosecutions in September 2026 have resulted in fines totalling nearly £2.6 million. Transport for London was fined £2 million and food manufacturer Samworth Brothers was fined £594,000, according to HSE press releases. These outcomes are a stark reminder that the courts treat health and safety failings as serious criminal offences, and no organisation is too large or too well known to face prosecution.

If you are an employer in Wymondham, Norwich, Attleborough, Thetford or Dereham, the question is simple: would your safety management system survive HSE scrutiny?

What These Prosecutions Tell Every Employer

A £2 million fine against TfL and a £594,000 fine against Samworth Brothers in a single month underline a clear pattern: the courts are imposing substantial penalties for health and safety failures. These are not abstract numbers. They represent the real financial consequences of getting safety wrong.

Since the introduction of the Sentencing Council guidelines for health and safety offences, courts assess fines based on the seriousness of the harm, the culpability of the offender and the organisation’s turnover. For larger organisations, fines routinely reach seven figures. But smaller businesses are not immune. The guidelines apply equally, and a fine that is proportionate to a small firm’s turnover can be just as devastating.

Full details of these and other prosecution outcomes are published on the HSE convictions database.

The Real Cost Goes Beyond the Fine

The fine itself is only part of the picture. A prosecution brings:

• Legal costs, which can match or exceed the fine
• Reputational damage that affects contracts, tenders and client confidence
• Potential director disqualification under the Company Directors Disqualification Act
• Custodial sentences for the most serious offences involving individuals
• Civil claims from injured parties, which follow separately
• Increased insurance premiums and possible loss of cover

Compare those consequences with the cost of a proper risk assessment, a training programme or a compliance review. The arithmetic is not complicated.

What Norfolk Employers Should Do Now

You do not need to wait for an HSE inspector to visit. Proactive compliance is always cheaper than reactive enforcement. Here is what we recommend for businesses in Wymondham, Norwich, Attleborough, Thetford and Dereham:

• Review your risk assessments. Are they up to date? Do they reflect your current activities, equipment and workforce? A risk assessment written three years ago and filed in a drawer will not impress an inspector or a court.
• Check your training records. Can you demonstrate that every employee has received appropriate safety training for their role? Are refresher courses up to date?
• Audit your safety management system. Policies, procedures and safe systems of work should be documented, communicated and followed in practice, not just on paper.
• Ensure health surveillance is current. If your workers are exposed to noise, dust, chemicals or vibration, you have a legal duty to provide appropriate health surveillance services.
• Get competent advice. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must have access to competent health and safety assistance.

How Milne Safety Helps Businesses Stay Compliant

We have provided health and safety consultancy to Norfolk businesses since 1978. Our directors, David Field (CMIOSH, MIIRSM) and Alec Rodwell (CMIOSH, MIIRSM), bring decades of practical experience in helping employers meet their legal duties.

We offer a straightforward service: identify what you need to do, help you do it, and make sure the paperwork stands up. That includes risk assessments, COSHH assessments, fire risk assessments, noise assessments, safety policies, audits and ongoing advisory support.

Our accredited safety training courses are delivered at our Wymondham training centre or on your own site, whichever works best for your operation. Training includes AITT-accredited forklift courses, IOSH Managing Safely, IOSH Working Safely, first aid, working at height, and SPA passports for the petrol retail and food and drink sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large are HSE fines for health and safety offences?

Fines are unlimited in the Crown Court. The Sentencing Council guidelines set fine bands based on the seriousness of the offence and the organisation’s turnover. In September 2026 alone, TfL was fined £2 million and Samworth Brothers £594,000, as reported by the HSE.

Can individual directors be prosecuted for health and safety failings?

Yes. Under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, where an offence is committed with the consent or connivance of a director or senior manager, that individual can be prosecuted personally. Penalties include unlimited fines and custodial sentences.

What should I do if I receive an HSE visit or enforcement notice?

Cooperate fully with the inspector. Do not obstruct or mislead them. Take detailed notes of what is discussed and any actions required. Seek competent health and safety advice immediately. Contact us on 01953 607093 if you need support.

How often should risk assessments be reviewed?

Risk assessments should be reviewed whenever there is a significant change in your work activities, equipment, premises or workforce, or following an incident. As a matter of good practice, we recommend a formal review at least annually.

Take Action Before the HSE Does

Every one of the businesses fined by the HSE this month had the opportunity to get things right before something went wrong. The cost of compliance is a fraction of the cost of prosecution.

If you are an employer in Wymondham, Norwich, Attleborough, Thetford or Dereham and you are not confident your health and safety arrangements would withstand scrutiny, speak to us. Call 01953 607093 or visit our Wymondham training centre at Unit 9, Philip Ford Way. We will tell you where you stand and what you need to do.