On April 15, 1989, tragedy struck Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. A catastrophic crush in the Leppings Lane end claimed 97 lives and injured hundreds more, exposing harrowing failures in crowd control, stadium design, and emergency response. The loss of life was devastating, and the ripple effects reached far beyond the immediate aftermath, changing the landscape of event safety forever. Lord Justice Taylor's report, commissioned in response to the disaster, became the blueprint for revolutionising crowd management and stadium safety. It condemned the outdated and hazardous design of standing terraces and recommended a move to all-seater stadiums for top-tier football grounds which is what all of todays younger generation of fan will have ever known . This change transformed the spectator experience, addressing overcrowding risks and introducing controlled capacity management. The Taylor Report also laid the groundwork for modern event safety practices. The “Green Guide” emerged as the authoritative manual for sports ground safety, offering comprehensive guidance on capacity calculations, emergency egress, and structural safety. Later complemented by the “Purple Guide” for outdoor events, this framework extended safety standards to festivals, concerts, and other large-scale gatherings.
The recent prosecution of Nofax Enterprises Limited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlights the severe consequences of neglecting workplace safety. Over 13 months, inspectors uncovered alarming risks at the company’s Dalston Lane construction site - unsafe fall protection, poor fire precautions, and harmful exposure to silica and wood dust. Despite nine enforcement notices and two site closures, the company failed to take meaningful action, ultimately resulting in a £63,000 fine and additional costs of £25,812.68. While the Nofax case is a cautionary tale for businesses, it also serves as a reminder for us as health and safety consultants. Unlike HSE inspectors, we lack enforcement powers - we cannot issue improvement notices or shut down unsafe sites. Our influence lies solely in our ability to guide clients effectively, identifying risks and promoting compliance. This raises an important ethical question: is it enough for us to highlight risks, or must we strive for something deeper to ensure that clients take responsibility?
As the British and Irish Lions prepare for their 2025 tour to Australia, I find myself trying to forget the six nations, especially the painful experience of my BiL sat next to me in the Principality Stadium wearing his England Rugby jersey singing 'Sweet Chariot' every 5 minutes. So I'm focussing on the anticipation and excitement that surrounds this iconic team. With Andy Farrell set to announce his squad on May 8th, the rugby world (not so much Wales) is buzzing with speculation about who will make the cut. The Lions represent more than just a team; they embody unity, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence - qualities that resonate deeply with me, both as a rugby enthusiast and a dedicated professional in health and safety.