Winter Newsletter 2025
Celebration Preparations Have Begun!
MS Associates (Safety) Gears Up for a Milestone Year: Celebrating 20 Years in Business
What began in 2006 as a one-man operation in Matthew Stevens’ spare room has grown into a respected, dynamic consultancy known for its deep expertise, unwavering integrity, and client-first approach.
Back in those early days, Matt’s vision was simple but powerful: provide exceptional safety support in an industry where the stakes are high and the demands are ever-changing. With boundless energy, sheer grit, and a remarkable understanding of construction safety, especially in the world of CDM, Matt quickly became a go-to specialist for clients managing projects both small and monumental. Whether steering a modest refurbishment or helping navigate the complexities of major builds, he earned a reputation for delivering consistant, loyal and dedicated service.
As the client list grew, so did the need for space. Matt moved from his spare room into a small office in Totton, where momentum kicked into high gear. Every challenge was met with tenacity. Every project strengthened MS Associates’ standing. The formula was simple: hard work, deep industry knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing long-lasting relationships. Clients didn’t just receive guidance, they gained a trusted partner.
Eventually, it became clear that the team and the ambition, had outgrown the walls of our office. The move to Medino House marked a bold new chapter: expanded office space, dedicated training facilities, and a buzzing hub where the growing team could continue delivering the unrivalled service MSA Safety has become known for. From here, MSA Safety has supported an ever-broadening range of clients, projects, and sectors, never losing sight of the core principles on which the business was built.
Now, as 2026 approaches, the significance of this anniversary feels especially meaningful. The past two decades haven’t been without challenges, global pandemics, economic uncertainty, shifting industry landscapes, but MSA stands strong, resilient, and more committed than ever, and in true MSA Safety fashion, this celebration isn’t just about us. It’s about everyone who helped make this journey possible. Our clients, associates, and the incredible team who bring passion and expertise to every project. This anniversary belongs to you just as much as to us. Your trust, partnership, and dedication have shaped who we are today.
So get ready, as 2026 will be a year of reflection, gratitude, and some unforgettable celebrations. Two decades down, and an exciting future still ahead. Here’s to 20 years of safety excellence… and many more to come!
London Road Resurfacing Firm Fined £1m
A London road resurfacing company has been fined £1 million after one of its employees was killed on the job. Robert Morris, 48, was struck by a reversing road sweeper on Pemberton Road, Haringey, while working for Marlborough Highways Limited on 30 May 2022. A colleague was driving the vehicle at the time. Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Metropolitan Police uncovered serious safety failings. There was no segregation between pedestrians and moving vehicles, no banksman to guide the reversing road sweeper, and traffic management on site was inadequate, putting workers and the public at risk. Marlborough Highways pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £1 million, plus costs of £6,028, at City of London Magistrates’ Court. In a separate prosecution, driver Jamie Smith, 46, admitted causing death by careless driving and was given a six-month suspended prison sentence and a one-year driving ban. HSE principal inspector James Goldfinch said: “Robert was entitled to return home safely, but the company’s failure to implement basic safety controls meant he did not. Our thoughts remain with his family, who describe him as the centre of their world.”
2026 Training Courses
- Temporary Works Supervisor
- Temporary Works Co-ordinator
- First Aid
- Scaffold Inspections
- NVQ Assessments for Construction
- SMSTS & Refreshers
- SSSTS & Refreshers
- Health & Safety Awareness
- SEATS
- Plant (NPORS & CPCS)
Book Now Online – 02380 669305 – bw@msasafety.co.uk
Child Seriously Injured by Falling Pipe. Director Held Accountable
A construction company and its director have been found guilty of health and safety failings after a neglected, corroded pipe fell on a young child, fracturing his skull.
The incident, described by the court as entirely foreseeable, occurred on 20 July 2021 in Totton, Hampshire, just steps from a local primary school. Five-year-old victims of such accidents are thankfully rare, but in this case, the danger could have been prevented.
According to court records, the trouble began when a builder removed part of an old cast iron pipe, estimated to date from the 1930s, so excavation could begin on a house extension. Days later, as a TV cable was being freed from the pipe, its top two sections toppled onto the pavement. Both the pipe and its fixings were heavily corroded, and at over 45kg, the pipe caused serious injury.
During the trial, company director Jason Scorey testified that he saw no need to secure the pipe. But the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) countered that this was a clear lapse in basic risk assessment.
“Properly assessing risk to workers and the public is essential on any construction site,” said HSE inspector Alexander Ashen. “Securing the pipe would have been a simple, inexpensive precaution. The fact that the work was happening mere yards from a school during pick-up time made the risk all the more serious.”
The court agreed. Sage Homes Limited and Scorey were convicted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, reflecting the responsibility of both the company and its director to protect the public. Scorey was fined £1,685, with a 45-day prison term looming if unpaid, plus £10,436 in costs. Sage Homes Limited received a £15,000 fine.
The case serves as a stark reminder that on construction sites, neglecting even small details, like securing a single old pipe, can have devastating consequences.
Shining a Light on Lights
When it comes to creating a warm, festive glow, fairy lights and candles are timeless favourites, but they demand a little respect. Used carelessly, they can turn a cosy evening into a dangerous one. A few simple precautions can keep the magic alive without inviting unnecessary risk.
Candle Safety
Candles are charming, but they’re also literal flames, so treat them as such. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room, and definitely not while you sleep. Keep them well clear of anything that could catch fire, curtains, decorations, paper, and fabrics are all common culprits.
Choose sturdy, heat-resistant holders and place them on solid, non-flammable surfaces. (A reminder: tea lights can melt plastic if they’re not properly contained.) And don’t forget the small hands and curious paws in your home, candles, matches, and lighters should all be stored safely out of reach.
During the holidays, resist the temptation to nestle candles among decorations or near Christmas trees. They may look picturesque, but the fire risk is far from charming.
Fairy Light Safety
Fairy lights bring sparkle to any celebration, but they rely on electricity, and that means caution. Always switch them off and unplug them when you head to bed or leave the house. Inspect them regularly, replace blown bulbs, and retire any set that shows signs of damage.
Like candles, fairy lights should never rest against flammable materials such as paper or fabric. And while it’s easy to get carried away with plug-in décor, avoid overloading sockets. If you need to power several items, use a fused adaptor with surge protection.
Before you buy, check for a recognized safety certification, such as the British Safety Standard, and keep cords tidy and uncovered. Running them under carpets may hide the clutter, but it also invites wear, overheating, and fire hazards.
General Safety
With decorations, distractions, and extra guests, celebrations naturally increase fire risk, so staying mindful is key. And if you prefer ambience without anxiety, consider swapping traditional candles for flameless LED alternatives. They offer all the charm with none of the worry.
Mission Christmas Collection
WHAT’S ON
Disney and Pixar Cars – National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
From 25th October 2025 to 12th April 2026!
Some of the world’s most loved stars from the Disney and Pixar Cars franchise cruise into Beaulieu with some very special guests are making a pit stop. Lightning McQueen, Mater, Jackson Storm and Finn McMissile roll in for a limited time stay!
www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
Glow Marwell – Marwell Zoo, Winchester
Open until 3 January 2026
Travel to a spectacular wonderland where fluorescent animal faces light up the night, giant dragonflies hover among the leaves, and glowing animal sculptures shine in spectacular colours.
Full Moon Sound Bath – The Oak Park Clinic, Crondall
See Website for dates
Embracing the heightened energy and illumination of the full moon through a Sound Bath and meditation can be a transformative experience.
www.tickettailor.com/events/smilehi
Van Gogh Alive Winchester – Winchester Science Centre
From Thursday 22 January – Sunday 22 March 2026
Step into Vincent’s vivid world. Immerse yourself in the most visited multisensory experience in the world as his masterpieces come to life, giving you the sensation of being amongst his paintings.
Pliosaur: The Terrifying Sea-Rex – Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, Wareham
Until January 2, 2026
Attenborough’s Giant Sea Monster -Come see this amazing creature and learn more about how it lived, hunted, and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge 150 million years ago.
These events are not recommendations, they are for information only. MSA cannot be held responsible for lack of enjoyment, financial loss or issues arising from these activities. Activities are undertaken at the readers choice and risk.
Tracking the Toll
The construction industry is once again facing hard truths about the toll taken on its workforce. New figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that in the three years leading up to March 2025, around 50,000 construction workers suffered non-fatal injuries, which is roughly one in every 40 people on site.
Compiled from the Office for National Statistics’ Labour Force Survey, the data shows construction continuing to outpace manufacturing and transport when it comes to workplace injuries, with an incident rate of 2.5 per cent of the workforce. While this is broadly unchanged from the period leading up to March 2019, an HSE chart hints at a bump in injuries during the pandemic disrupted years from 2019 to 2022.
Across the economy, fewer than one in 50 workers sustained a non-fatal injury, underscoring construction’s stubborn place among the most hazardous sectors.
More sobering still are the 3,726 non-fatal injuries reported in 2024/25 under RIDDOR, more than 2,200 of which, forced workers off the job for over a week, disrupting lives, livelihoods and project timelines.
The causes remain grimly familiar. Falls from height accounted for a third of the most serious injuries. Slips, trips and falls on the level made up 30 per cent, while 13 per cent stemmed from contact with moving or falling objects.
Beyond the human cost, the financial burden is immense. The HSE estimates that injuries and ill health drained £1.4 billion from the construction industry in the year to March 2025. Over the three-year period, that translated to more than 2 million lost working days, averaging just over a day per worker annually, broadly in line with the wider economy.
The message from the watchdog is clear: despite progress in awareness and regulation, the industry’s risk profile remains stubbornly high. The challenge now is turning these numbers into action, before another 50,000 workers pay the price.
Government Launches Standalone Building Safety Watchdog
In a decisive move to overhaul high-rise safety, the Government has set the stage for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to break free from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and relaunch as an independent watchdog from January next year.
The Building Safety Regulator Regulations 2026 have been laid before Parliament, earmarking 27 January 2026 as the day the new body formally takes the reins of high-rise safety across England and Wales.
For the past three years, HSE has steered the regulator, but the new structure transforms it into a permanent corporate body reporting directly to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Crucially, it will retain all existing powers, staff, and ongoing cases currently managed by HSE’s Building Safety Division.
Ministers insist the move will cement independence, boost transparency, and create a single, national focus on the safety of higher-risk buildings. The newly autonomous regulator will have the authority to prosecute, charge for services, and publish annual reports to Parliament under Freedom of Information rules. All ongoing Gateway 2 and 3 applications, inspections, and enforcement cases will automatically transfer over, with transitional arrangements allowing HSE staff to continue supporting live work until the end of 2026.
A new board will oversee operations, comprising a chair, three to eight members appointed by the Secretary of State, and a chief executive. Committees and subcommittees will continue to monitor industry competence, building control, and residents’ voices.
With powers to bring criminal prosecutions, borrow short-term funds, and receive government grants or loans, the regulator is set to hit the ground running. Its first financial year will run from 27 January to 31 March 2026, with the inaugural annual report expected shortly afterward.
The transformation marks the final stage of the post-Grenfell safety shake-up, delivering a dedicated, accountable, and visible national authority for building safety, exactly the type of watchdog that the tragedy’s aftermath demanded.
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