HASTAM

Expert Witness Service

For the last twenty-five years HASTAM has provided high quality Health and Safety consultancy and training services to many leading companies in the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the world, and undertaken research and development projects for several  EU governments and regulatory bodies. 

Members of the HASTAM Expert Witness Practice have undertaken investigations, prepared reports and delivered witness evidence in a number of high profile cases and others that, whilst of critical importance to those involved, have received no media scrutiny.  They have functioned as independent experts for both the defence and prosecution, and for both ‘sides’ in civil proceedings.   For example one major case where Richard Booth, with the support of colleagues, undertook the expert witness role, was the devastating blast furnace explosion at Corus’ Port Talbot plant in November 2001.  There are others where we can provide case-studies.  You will appreciate that current and recent cases are covered by confidentially arrangements.

In undertaking this role HASTAM are able to draw on a wealth of practical experience and academic knowledge across a broad spectrum of health and safety topics including: management systems, risk assessment and management, leadership and employee behaviour, technical controls and machinery guarding and occupational health issues.  Indeed, Practice team members, between them, are able to undertake work in very complex cases where on occasions experts are required to provide a comprehensive analysis, covering some quite obscure and less obvious issues.  

Of course, some of our experts are the very people who have formulated the guidance, standards or good practice that companies seek to implement and on which the issue of reasonable practicability often rests. We also have in-depth knowledge of safety management in a broad range of industries including: manufacturing, construction, chemical, steel, transport and public services.  We have investigated a range of incidents including ones involving machinery, lifting equipment, falls from height, back injuries, and explosions. 

What HASTAM promise and deliver is independent expertise applied with rigour and thoroughness to the case or situation under review.   The work we undertake is:

  1. Always to assist the court, but we recognise that clients are entitled to timely information on the trends of our opinions.
  2. Managed by the designated expert witness, normally a director.  Colleagues peer review reports, as appropriate, to provide challenge and to ensure accuracy.  The purpose is to ensure that reports and evidence will withstand rigorous scrutiny.
  3. Supported, where appropriate, by a small team of researchers to ensure a comprehensive analysis of all relevant evidence.  This facility is particularly useful if opinions are required urgently to meet court hearing dates.
  4. Assessed against a clear set of professional principals and standards to avoid possible conflicts of interest and ensuring that we only undertake work where our competence is secure.

Please contact us if you would like more information.