Recent HSE Prosecutions

Metal and steel forge fined £750,000 after worker killed in machinery incident

A steel manufacturing facility received a £750,000 penalty plus £38,314 in costs following the death of a worker. The employee lost his life after becoming entangled in a 20-metre-long lathe. He was using a handheld emery cloth to finish a rotating component, a practice specifically prohibited by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.

The incident highlights a serious failure in workplace safety management. An HSE investigation found the company failed to prohibit dangerous practices, prevent access to moving machinery parts, ensure suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), and conduct adequate risk assessments or establish safe operating procedures.

The worker's preventable death was a direct result of the company's neglect of fundamental safety principles – including machine guarding, safe operating procedures, and adherence to specific HSE guidance.

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Construction company penalised for fall-from-height incident

A construction business was forced to pay £24,000 for failing to implement a safe system of work for working at height.

A worker sustained multiple serious injuries from falling 1.65 metres from a stepladder during a renovation project, suffering crush injuries, fractures, and dislocations while building formwork for a concrete staircase.

Despite the company receiving a Prohibition Notice a month before the accident, the company displayed broader safety failings. In addition to poor work-at-height practices, the HSE uncovered inadequate edge protection and uncontrolled ladder use.

Falls from height are the leading cause of fatal workplace accidents in the UK. This incident highlights the critical importance of establishing and maintaining strict safety protocols for work at height, including suitable control measures, safe working practices, and appropriate supervision.

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COSHH incident costs manufacturer £50,000

A manufacturer of household cleaning products was fined £50,000 after an agency worker suffered severe chemical burns to her face, eye, neck, and arm.

The injuries occurred when the individual accidentally opened the wrong valve on a 1,000-litre container of corrosive sink and drain unblocker, dousing her with the liquid.

An HSE investigation revealed a catalogue of critical failings, including inadequate training, inconsistent PPE use and oversight, and inadequate first-aid provisions, such as a shower for large-scale chemical incidents.

This case underscores the importance of robust safety systems, comprehensive training, strict enforcement of PPE requirements, and appropriate emergency provisions when handling hazardous substances.

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Turn lessons learned into best practice

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Get in touch on 0330 043 4015 or email hello@opus-safety.co.uk.

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