HSE | A tissue manufacturing company has been fined after an employee was seriously injured while clearing a machine blockage at its factory in Blackburn.

The 24-year-old, a lead machine operator, was working for WEPA Professional UK Limited at its premises on Waterfall Street on 31 March 2024. During the manufacturing process, a tissue blockage occurred in the rollers of the machine and the worker instructed his colleague to ‘jog’ the machine while he cleared the paper by hand.

According to the HSE, ‘jogging’ – also known as inching – refers to the momentary energisation of a motor to move it in small, precise increments, only while the operator holds down a button.

However, as the man did this, his right hand became trapped in the roller. Although he managed pull his hand out of the machine, he had sustained crushing injuries to it.

The HSE’s investigation found that tissue blockages were a regular occurrence at the factory, happening around 2-3 times a day. However, there was also no safe system of work in place for unblocking the tissue and the risk assessment in place at the time of the incident, which had last been reviewed in 2021, identified that formal safe operating procedures were needed to reduce risk, but this was never actioned by the company.

WEPA Professional UK Limited, of Waterfall Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,107.

HSE principal inspector Emily Osborne said: “A young worker was left with a serious injury as a result of an accident which could easily have been avoided.”

“There was no safe system of work in place for the task as well as a lack of instructions and training to ensure workers knew how to carry out the task safely. Instead, the firm’s failures led to the man suffering a severe injury to his right hand.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski and supported by paralegal officer Hannah Snelling.

HSE | A tree surgeon suffered a powerful electric shock from an overhead powerline while carrying out maintenance to hedges on a busy road near Royal Wootton Bassett.

Shortly after midnight on 19 January 2024, Joshua Pocknell was working as part of a team of three on the A3102 when the mobile lighting tower he was pushing made contact with an overhead powerline.

The 26-year-old sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he spent the next five weeks.

The HSE’s investigation into the incident found employer Upton Specialist Tree Services had requested a permit to carry out the work of a night time from Wiltshire Council. It had been decided to do the work after dark due to the needs of traffic flow as the A3102 acted as a diversion for M4.

However, the company had failed to adequately plan for or risk assess the dangers posed by overhead power lines. The company did not implement suitable control measures, such as barriers, instruction or training in operating the mobile lighting tower. Overhead powerlines had not been properly assessed or controlled, particularly following the change to night time working requiring the use of a mobile lighting tower.

Upton Specialised Tree Services Ltd, of Horton Heath, Wimborne, pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 by virtue of Regulation 3. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £6,237 in costs.

Joshua described the moment the lighting tower hit the overhead powerlines and that he ‘couldn’t let go of it’.

He said: “My whole body locked and I felt hot and cramping. I could hear the electricity in my head and thought I was going to die. I hit the floor and passed out, still cramping. I later discovered a hole had burnt through my arm and hip all the way to the bone.”

“My injuries were complex and challenging and there were five or six different surgeons involved in my treatment. I still experience considerable pain and strange bodily sensations, including nerve pain and itching.”

“This incident has torn the life from beneath me and I don’t think I will be able to return to the job that I used to love.”

HSE inspector Tom Preston said: “Joshua is lucky to be alive. Overhead electrical power lines present extreme risks to workers, but the risks can and must be controlled.”

“Work near overhead power lines should only be carried out where it can be done safely, following a suitable risk assessment, the use of barriers or safety zones, and proper training on the equipment being used.”

“In this case, a worker sustained severe injuries in a traumatic incident for all concerned that was entirely preventable.”

“HSE will take action against those who fail to take the steps necessary to protect people at work.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement lawyer Karen Park, Rowena Goodwin as the prosecution advocate and Gabrielle O’Sullivan as the paralegal officer.

Facilitate Magazine | The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) has published an updated edition of its “Good Practice Guide Recycling, Waste and Resource Management”.

It deals with significant changes in legislation, policy, and professional practice, signalling that recycling and waste management are no longer standalone operational issues but now form a visible and material part of responsible business, sustainability performance and organisational resilience.

The guide, created to inform and assist FM professionals, integrates strategic context with practical advice. It encompasses the waste hierarchy, circular economy principles, carbon measurement, social value, audits, contractor management, health and safety, and communication, along with up-to-date information on current and impending legislation.

The guide responds to the increasing pressure on FM teams to deal with waste compliantly while supporting ESG responsibilities, net-zero goals, and broader organisational objectives.

It calls attention to both the risks of poor practice, including legal, financial, and reputational consequences, and the opportunities for FMs to show value through effective resource management.

HSE | A recreational diving instructor has been fined after falsifying a HSE commercial diving medical certificate.

Stuart Elmes, of Bournemouth, falsified the certificate while seeking employment as a PADI instructor in March 2025. The document was identified by a local diving school and subsequently reported to HSE.

An investigation by the HSE, supported by the Approved Medical Examiners of Divers (AMED) board, confirmed that the certificate had been falsified.

Commercial divers must hold a valid medical certificate issued by an HSE-approved doctor to confirm they are fit to dive. This is a legal requirement under the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and is a critical safeguard to protect both the diver and others involved in diving operations.

Under Section 33(1)(m) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, it is an offence to make, or possess, a document that closely resembles an official document and is intended to deceive.

Stuart Elmes pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(m) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 17 April 2026. He was fined £700 and ordered to pay £2,620 in costs and a victim surcharge of £280.

HSE Diving Inspector Christopher Booker said: “Diving commercially is a high-risk activity. Being assessed as medically fit to work underwater, including when providing diver training, is an essential part of ensuring safety – not only for the individual but also for their students and colleagues.”

“Stuart Elmes falsified an HSE diving medical certificate and used it to seek employment in the recreational diving industry.”

“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those found to be in possession of, or using, falsified fitness to dive certificates.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement advocates Rowena Goodwin and Neenu Bains, supported by paralegal officer Michael Millman.

HSE | The HSE has reminded all company owners of their legal responsibility to hold Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI).

This follows a HSE prosecution of Mill House Metals, a scrap metal merchant based in Widnes, Cheshire.

The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 towards costs after pleading guilty to breaching the Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance Act 1969. By law, employers are required to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment – it is compulsory insurance.

The court heard that following an incident at its Hale Road site, the HSE found that there had been no valid certificate of insurance between 18 April 2025 and 30 September 2025. As Mill House Metals Ltd were unable to produce a valid ELCI certificate, this meant that their staff had no means of pursuing a civil claim against the business had they been injured at work or contracted a work-related illness or disease.

Most employers are required by law to provide ELCI cover to ensure successful civil claims can be met. Further guidance can be found on the HSE website at Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 – HSE.

Mill House Metals Ltd, of Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to breaching the Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance Act 1969. The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

HSE principal inspector Emily Osborne said: “Had Mill House Metal’s employees suffered a work-related injury or illness that warranted a claim for damages, they would have been denied a chance to claim the compensation as recompense for any pain and suffering they had endured.”

“That is the purpose of ELCI. It is not a trivial optional extra, it is a compulsory requirement that is designed solely to protect employees.”

“The law expects employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent their workforce from being injured or becoming ill, but if incidents do occur then Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance cover is vital.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski.

HSE | A Hampshire based waste management company has been prosecuted after a man had both legs amputated when he was crushed by a 15-tonne excavator.

The 24-year-old man was working for R W Waste Limited at its yard in Shedfield on 7 November 2023. The excavator, operating in the same yard, reversed over him as he was sorting waste. Both of his lower legs were later amputated and he has been unable to return to work since.

An investigation by the HSE found that R W Waste Limited failed to protect workers and other visitors to the site. The company had not put in place suitable arrangements to keep pedestrians safe while vehicles were moving around the yard.

R W Waste Limited, of Botley Road, Shedfield, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that the appropriate fine, after trial, would have been £180,000, reduced to £120,000 to reflect the company’s guilty plea. However, as the company had gone into liquidation and was unable to pay, it was ordered to pay a nominal fine of £1. No order for costs was made for the same reason.

HSE Inspector Nicola Pinckney said: “The failures of this company has left a young man with truly life-changing injuries. He has not been able to work since.”

“Unfortunately, this type of accident is sadly not uncommon in this industry.”

“After the incident, and following enforcement action taken by HSE, the company did introduce a number of readily available measures that significantly reduce the risk of this happening again.”

“We take these failures seriously and will hold those to account who fail to keep their workers and other people safe.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and supported by HSE paralegal officer Gabrielle O’Sullivan.

HSE | A manufacturing company has been fined £340,000 after an employee was seriously injured while cleaning machinery at its site in Swindon.

The 42-year-old man had been working a night shift for Tyco Electronics UK Limited at its premises on Faraday Road on 7 March 2023. He had been tasked with cleaning a machine used to manufacture pellets made from a mixture of raw materials. During the cleaning process, the worker manually raised the hydraulic ram inside the machine and opened the door. He then used his left hand to reach into the open space to clean the machine.

However, as he withdrew his arm, the door fell at the front of the machine and activated the hydraulic ram, trapping his limb. He managed to pull his arm free, tearing nerves and tendons, before shouting for help.

He required three operations to reattach his fingers and spent ten days in hospital. He attended Southmead Hospital twice weekly for dressing changes and physiotherapy. He continues to experience loss of sensation and movement in his fingers, although he has regained some movement in his thumb.

Investigating, the HSE found that Tyco Electronics UK Limited failed to put suitable and sufficient measures in place to prevent employees from being put at risk while cleaning the machine.

The investigation also identified that employees had not been provided with sufficient information and instruction on how to use and clean the machine safely. Training was found to be inadequate, and employees were not suitably supervised.

Tyco Electronics UK Limited, of Company Secretariat, Faraday Road, Swindon, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £340,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,145.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Emma Preston said: “Machinery accidents during maintenance and cleaning are all too common, often with serious consequences. Workers should ensure that machinery is properly isolated from all sources of power so that it cannot restart during the task.”

“Incidents like this can and should be prevented by following robust lock-off procedures.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Neenu Bains and supported by paralegal officer Hannah Snelling.

ORR | An incident involving an engineer surveyor at the Channel Tunnel in Folkstone has resulted in a fine following health and safety breaches.

The Channel Tunnel Group Limited (CTGL also known as Eurotunnel) has been fined £2.25 million after pleading guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, following an investigation and prosecution by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

The incident happened on 5 April 2018 at Eurotunnel’s UK terminal of the Channel Tunnel, in Folkestone. The surveyor stood at the bottom of one of the lighting masts with the Eurotunnel maintenance team that was assisting with their inspection.

As a lighting carriage was being winched to the top of the mast 18m in the air, the wires holding it failed and the 115kg unit fell, striking the surveyor who suffered multiple serious injuries. The outcome could have been worse had the structure’s fall not been broken by objects lying around the site.

According to ORR, CTGL had control of maintenance of the lighting masts, their associated equipment, and the premises in which they were situated. It breached its duty under Section 4 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 as it failed to take measures to ensure that the plant at the premises, namely the lighting masts, were safe and without risks to health.

Richard Hines, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, said: “This catalogue of what were entirely preventable maintenance and planning errors led to a truly horrific incident, and my thoughts are with the injured person and their family for the pain and suffering the incident caused and continues to cause.

“It is quite simply astonishing to learn that there were occasions where lighting carriages were winched up and down by staff who had not been appropriately trained, without a suitable safe system of work, that there was no effective preventative maintenance of the lighting mast and its equipment , and that there was a lack of an appropriate risk assessment for that specific task.”

“This case serves as another reminder to industry that regular maintenance of equipment and thorough and appropriate risk-assessments in carrying out works is crucial to help prevent a repeat of such an event.”

DWFRS | A Dorset care home has been prosecuted and fined for fire safety failings, which were identified after the death of a vulnerable resident.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) brought a prosecution against Portelet Manor care home in Boscombe, Dorset, following an incident that occurred on 19 June 2023.

A resident who had been smoking in the home’s designated smoking area suffered significant burns and died in hospital eleven days later. Although the Fire and Rescue Service was not called to the incident, it was made aware of what had happened and opened a fire safety investigation.

Portelet Manor Limited was ordered to pay a fine of £70,000 after pleading guilty to a charge brought forward by DWFRS. The company entered the plea to an offence contrary to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that put people at risk of death or serious injury, specifically to article 11, in that they failed to ensure appropriate fire safety arrangements were in place.

In addition to the fine, they were ordered to pay £22,000 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Tom Huntley, Fire Safety Prosecution Manager for DWFRS, said: “Firstly, the thoughts of us all at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service remain with the loved ones, friends and family of the person who tragically lost their life. Public safety is our highest priority, and the court’s finding should serve as a clear message to everyone in Dorset and Wiltshire about the importance of fire safety.”

He added: “We are fully committed to supporting businesses and Responsible Persons to ensure the safety of the public. However, where there is a failure to comply with legal requirements, DWFRS will pursue prosecution action where it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so. This case highlights the very serious consequences of failures in fire safety management.”

HSE | A flower supplier has been fined after an employee’s leg was amputated following a serious incident at its processing facility in Huntingdon.

Andy Hazelden was working for MM Flowers Limited, at its site in Alconbury Weald, on 4 February 2023 when he was injured while helping to manually unload cargo from a delivery trailer ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Cargo had become stuck on the trailer, and Mr Hazelden, along with two colleagues, attempted to free it. As part of this process, he stepped onto a roller deck where there was a gap. Once the cargo was freed, a skid slid from the trailer onto the roller deck and struck his left leg, which had become trapped in the gap.

The 60-year-old sustained devastating injuries and later underwent a series of medical procedures, ultimately resulting in a through-knee amputation. His injuries have been life-changing, leaving him reliant on a wheelchair and the care of his wife. He has also been unable to continue his much-loved pastime of riding motorcycles.

An investigation by the HSE found that MM Flowers Limited failed to ensure employees were safe when unloading aircraft skids from delivery vehicles in the intake area.

Workers were required to physically intervene when skids became stuck, exposing them to risk from moving loads. The investigation also identified a 10cm gap in the roller deck that had not been recognised or addressed, creating a risk of employees stepping into it.

MM Flowers Limited, of Enterprise Campus, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £134,000 and ordered to pay £4,908 in costs at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 10 April 2026.

HSE Inspector Tom Pouncey said: “Health and safety law is there to ensure people can go home healthy from work, sadly a man has had the rest of his life severely impacted due to his employer failing to fulfil their duty.

“Serious incidents like this can occur when everyday work activities have not been properly assessed and unsafe practices are allowed to continue.

“In this case, employees were exposed to risk by being required to manually intervene with stuck loads, and by the presence of an unprotected gap where they were working. Had the company identified these risks and implemented a safe system of work, Mr Hazelden’s life-changing injury could have been prevented.”

Mr Hazelden said: “I was fully conscious whilst trapped on the roller deck following the accident… at one point I was genuinely terrified I was going to bleed out and die. I could hear blood hitting the warehouse floor.”

“Much of the time during my stay at hospital I felt helpless and undignified. I have pretty much had to learn to mobilise in a wheelchair and learn to walk again using prosthetic limbs. I feel my identity has changed.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz and paralegal officer Michael Millman.

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