- Two companies with a poor health and safety record fined
- Failures included exposing workers to wood dust
- HSE inspectors found a ‘multitude of failings’ during visits
Two sister woodworking companies based in Cambridgeshire have been fined after they exposed workers to various risks including wood dust.
Dagless Limited and Nene Milling Company Limited, both based in Wisbech, were been fined a total of £34,000 following an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE carried out inspections at the two companies in July 2023 and identified a multitude of significant failings in their health and safety management systems, leaving many employees at significant risks to their health, safety and welfare.
These failings included employees being exposed to wood dust and other substances hazardous to health due to very poor control measures. Wood dust is a known respiratory sensitiser that can cause long term health effects including occupational asthma.
There was no risk assessment or work related noise survey in place and employees had not received training for the use of personal protection equipment (PPE), with the majority of employees not wearing hearing protection in areas where the noise was at very high levels.
The companies also failed to ensure vehicle movements on their sites were safety managed, putting their employees at risk of being seriously injured or killed by moving vehicles and there were numerous items of work equipment being used without appropriate guards or safety features in place.
After the visit, HSE inspectors took enforcement action against both companies. They also identified that since 2002 both Dagless Limited and Nene Milling Company Limited have been served a total of 34 enforcement notices relating to breaches of health and safety. Both companies have also been prosecuted for serious health and safety offences in the past, including incidents that have caused serious injuries to a number of their employees.
HSE guidance states that employers must take effective measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other persons. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to put in place arrangements to control health and safety risks Managing for health and safety
Dagless Limited and Nene Milling Company Limited, both of Wisbech, entered a guilty plea to charges contrary to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The companies were fined a total of £34,000 and ordered to pay total costs of £7,809.30 at a hearing at Norwich Magistrates Court on 18 September 2026.
HSE inspector Paul Unwin said:
“These companies have been subject to significant enforcement by HSE in the past, including various enforcement notices.
“This includes both having previously been prosecuted following incidents where their employee have suffered serious life changing injuries.
“We take a failure to protect the health and safety of employees extremely seriously and we will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they should.”
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Thomas Smith.
Further information:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
- More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/
- HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
- Guidance on controlling the risks to employees can be found here: Managing for health and safety
- HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences in England can be found at Magistrates’ courts sentencing guidelines – Sentencing