Having documentation in place does not automatically mean you are compliant. Recent UK safety alerts and enforcement action highlight a recurring issue across multiple sectors, and regulators are making it clear that poor verification, inadequate risk assessment, or missing records can still leave businesses exposed to prosecution, civil claims, and reputational damage.
1. Mobile Tower Safety and PASMA Card Verification
The Mobile Access Tower Association (PASMA) has raised concerns that some construction sites are failing to properly verify PASMA cards and qualifications.
Reports indicate that supervisors may simply “see a card” without checking whether the worker holds the correct PASMA category for the specific tower type being used, such as stair towers, linked towers, or cantilever towers. PASMA’s Technical Director warned that different tower configurations require specific training and competence, and incorrect assumptions can lead to unsafe installations.
To support better compliance, PASMA has launched TowerSure, a digital system designed to log tower inspections, store virtual PASMA cards, and create a clear audit trail for site managers.
Key takeaway: Seeing a card is not enough. Site managers must verify that the qualification matches the tower type in use.
2. £600,000 Fine After Fatal Pallet Storage Incident
A UK manufacturing company has been fined £600,000 following the death of a worker who was crushed by a toppled, double-stacked pallet weighing almost 600kg.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the company had no suitable and sufficient risk assessment for pallet storage, failed to adequately control double-stacking practices, and did not provide appropriate training on its pallet-handling policy. Despite having general procedures in place, the lack of task-specific risk assessment and staff training was considered a serious failure.
Key takeaway: Generic policies are insufficient. Risk assessments must reflect real, on-site storage and handling practices.
3. Apprentice Falls Through Fragile Roof During CCTV Installation
Two UK companies were fined after an apprentice fell through a fragile roof while installing CCTV equipment.
The HSE investigation found that Tristan G Murless Limited failed to plan and manage the work at height safely, while Ellis and Partners (Bournemouth) Limited failed to provide required documentation during the investigation. Combined fines and costs exceeded £22,000.
The case highlighted failings in work-at-height planning, fragile roof assessment, supervision of inexperienced workers, and post-incident record keeping.
Key takeaway: Poor planning and missing documentation can significantly increase liability following an incident.
The Bottom Line: Documentation Is a Legal Requirement, Not a Formality
Across all three cases, the message from UK regulators is consistent: you remain exposed to enforcement action and litigation if your documentation is incomplete, inaccurate, or not actively used.
When an incident occurs, regulators will ask:
• Was competence verified, not just assumed?
• Does the risk assessment reflect actual site conditions?
• Is training current and evidenced?
• Are records available and complete?
If the evidence is missing or unclear, the business carries the risk. The question regulators will always ask is: “What evidence do you have that the risk was understood and controlled?”
0117 9381 600
