Lewisham's Hither Green Crematorium has seen a rise in health and safety issues, according to a recent report presented to the Health and Safety Committee. The report, part of a Corporate Health & Safety Board Update, highlighted an increase in both health and safety and maintenance issues at the site. Compared to Brockley Cemetery (2 and 4 respectively) and Ladywell Cemetery (1 and 2 respectively), Hither Green Cemetery & Crematorium has a higher number of health and safety and maintenance issues.
According to the Corporate Health & Safety Board Update, Hither Green Cemetery & Crematorium has seen a rise of 13 in its combined health and safety and maintenance issues since the last inspection. During the most recent inspection, the site had 8 health and safety issues and 13 maintenance issues.
The council is addressing these issues by completing quarterly premises inspections using new health and safety software. This allows officers to complete and distribute outturn reports, including photographic evidence, before leaving the site. This enables issues to receive immediate attention from premises officers or facilities management as appropriate.
The report also included a table showing the locations of incidents of verbal abuse or threatening behaviour, with one incident recorded at Hither Green Crematorium.
The Corporate Health & Safety Board Update was presented at the Health and Safety Committee meeting on 1 July 2025. The committee also reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting and discussed declarations of interest.
The report noted that none of the issues identified at any of the council's premises posed a direct and immediate threat to staff or service users. Typical issues included the need to clear areas of obstructions, carry out and document testing of safety equipment, and ensuring adequate signage and instruction.