A defence technology company has been fined £800,000 after an employee was shot during testing of ammunition at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) range in South Wales.
The father-of-two was left paralysed below the shoulders after being shot by a 5.56mm bullet fired from a gun, 570 metres away. The incident happened on 25 March 2021 during a NATO ammunition quality assurance trial at the MoD Ranges in Pendine.
The now 42-year-old’s role had been to check the impact of bullets on a metal target and was in front of the target when the bullet was fired.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found QinetiQ Limited had failed to adequately risk assess the trial activity. As a result they did not have adequate precautions in place to ensure that no one was near the target when the rounds were fired.
- Employers are required by law to protect both their employees and others from harm and assessing the risk is just one part of the overall process and HSE guidance is available to explain what steps should be taken.
QinetiQ Limited of, Cody Technology Park, Ively Road, Farnborough, Hampshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £800,000 and ordered to pay £8,365 in costs at Llanelli Magistrates Court on 3 April 2025.
HSE principal specialist inspector Stuart Charles said of the employee: “His life and those of his wife and two children have been devastated by the severe injuries he has suffered.
“Simple and inexpensive steps could have been taken which would have prevented this incident.
“This case shows employers the importance of continually assessing the way they work and not just accepting historical practices.”
The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement Lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.
Notes to Editors:
- 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 information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
- Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
- 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 can be found here.
- HSE guidance about managing and assessing risksis available.