Health & Safety Lawyers
Health and safety law is one of the most heavily regulated areas affecting businesses and individuals in the UK.
Employers, directors and managers have a duty to provide a safe working environment, carry out risk assessments and comply with strict reporting and safety obligations. A failure to do so can result in serious criminal investigations, unlimited fines and even imprisonment.
At Hallinans, our specialist health and safety lawyers provide advice and representation to companies and individuals facing investigations or prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), local authorities and the police. We assist clients across a range of industries, from construction and transport to healthcare and retail, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they are guided through every stage of the process.
Whether you are dealing with an accident at work, a fatality leading to a corporate manslaughter investigation, or a prosecution for breach of health and safety regulations, our team has the expertise to defend you and advise on compliance to reduce future risk.
Who Our Health and Safety Solicitors Act For
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Employers of all sizes across multiple industries
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Company directors and senior managers facing personal liability
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Employees subject to investigation or prosecution
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Organisations served with HSE Improvement or Prohibition Notices.
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How Our Health and Safety Lawyers Can Help
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Early advice during Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigations
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Representation at interviews under caution
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Defence in criminal proceedings
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Appeals against Improvement and Prohibition Notices
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Guidance on compliance and risk management to mitigate against future liability.
Health and Safety Solicitors Covering:
Failure to Provide a Safe Workplace
Not maintaining safe premises or systems of work, exposing staff or visitors to avoidable risks.
Inadequate or Missing Risk Assessments
​Failing to identify and manage workplace hazards as required by law.
Breaches of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Obligations
Not providing or enforcing the use of suitable protective equipment.
Workplace Accidents and Injuries
Incidents caused by unsafe practices, poor training or faulty equipment.
Construction Site Offences (falls from height, unsafe scaffolding, equipment misuse)
Breaches of safety standards on construction sites, often involving serious injury or fatality.
Corporate Manslaughter and Gross Negligence Offences
Investigations and prosecutions arising when management failings lead to a death.
Failure to Report Incidents Under RIDDOR
Not reporting workplace accidents or dangerous occurrences as legally required.
Fire Safety Breaches
Failing to carry out fire risk assessments or maintain adequate fire precautions.
Hazardous Substances and Related Breaches
Non-compliance with COSHH duties in the storage or handling of dangerous materials.
Transport and Work Vehicle Safety Offences
Neglecting safety standards for workplace transport or company vehicles.
Our Health & Safety Cases Include:
Grenfell Tower
Inquiry
Retail Workplace Accident Resulting in Death
Home
Construction
Frequently Asked Questions to Health and Safety Solicitors
​What laws govern health and safety in the UK?
​The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary legislation, supported by regulations such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and others.
What are the penalties for health and safety offences?
​Sanctions include unlimited fines, imprisonment, director disqualification and corporate manslaughter charges in fatal cases.
Can directors and senior managers be personally liable for health and safety offences?
Yes – if an offence occurs with their consent, connivance or neglect.
What are common defences to health and safety prosecutions?
A business may show that it took all reasonably practicable steps, complied with industry standards or exercised due diligence.
What is an Improvement Notice for health & safety?
​An Improvement Notice is issued by the HSE when a business is breaching health and safety law. It requires specific action to be taken within a set timeframe to remedy the breach.
Why choose Hallinans?
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Proven track record defending businesses and directors in complex cases
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Expertise across construction, transport, healthcare and manufacturing
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Trusted representation from investigation to court proceedings
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Clear, practical advice tailored to your business
Who can be prosecuted for health and safety offences?
​Employers, directors, managers and in some cases, employees can face criminal liability.
What is a risk assessment and why is it important?
​It is a legal requirement to identify and control workplace hazards; failure to carry out adequate assessments is a common basis for prosecution.
​What happens if an accident is not reported under RIDDOR?
​This is a criminal offence which can lead to investigation and prosecution.
​What is corporate manslaughter and how is it different from gross negligence manslaughter?
​Corporate manslaughter applies to organisations, whereas gross negligence manslaughter can be brought against individuals.
What is a Prohibition Notice for health & safety?
​A Prohibition Notice is issued when there is a serious risk of injury. It requires certain activities to stop immediately until the issue is resolved.