• Seven employees reported with vibration-related conditions including nerve damage and finger blanching
• Workers described daily life impacts including numbness at night and inability to grip
• Company failed to risk assess vibration exposure or provide health surveillance and training

A metal fabrication company based at Immingham Docks in North East Lincolnshire has been sentenced after pleading guilty to exposing multiple employees to vibration risks at work.

HSE became aware in June 2024 of three reports of vibration-related illness among employees of Drury Engineering Services Ltd. An investigation was opened and an Improvement Notice served on the company to control the ongoing risk.

The notice was served because the company had failed to reduce employees’ vibration exposure to as low a level as reasonably practicable through organisational and technical measures.

During the investigation, inspectors identified a further three employees who met the threshold for reporting to HSE due to vibration-related illness. A seventh report was made by the company later that year.

Employees told inspectors the illness was affecting their daily lives. Some experienced finger blanching during simple household tasks such as mowing the lawn. Others were kept awake at night by numbness in their hands, while some described being unable to grip and suffering nerve damage.

Drury Engineering Services Ltd has been operating at Immingham Docks since 2000. A new health and safety manager was appointed in June 2022 and began work to address issues with the company’s vibration management system, but by this point employees had already been significantly exposed to vibration risks.

The investigation found that the company had failed to:

– suitably and sufficiently assess the risks from vibration exposure

– implement organisational and technical measures to reduce vibration exposure to as low a level as reasonably practicable

– place employees who were exposed to significant levels of vibration under a suitable health surveillance system

– provide employees with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training

HSE provides extensive guidance on the risk of vibration in the workplace and the need to ensure that the risk is properly assessed, and appropriate measures implemented to control exposure from the risk of vibration.

Drury Engineering Services Ltd, of East Riverside, Immingham Dock, Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £44,000 and ordered to pay £8,061.70  in costs at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on 26 February 2026.

HSE Principal Inspector Chris Tilley said: “Today’s fine should send a clear message that both HSE and the courts take seriously the failure to manage employees’ exposure to vibration.

“HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies that do not do all they should to keep people healthy and safe.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Benjamin Stobbart.

Notes to Editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people & places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Guidance on Vibration at Work can be found here: Vibration – HSE
5. 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 here and those for Scotland here.

– Nick Hardiman, 54, died after becoming entangled in a lathe while using handheld emery cloth at Somers Forge Limited in Halesowen on 8 December 2023

– HSE found the company failed to prohibit dangerous working practices, prevent access to moving machinery parts, and establish safe operating procedures

– HSE guidance states emery cloth should never be applied directly by hand

A Halesowen forge has been fined £750,000 after an employee sustained fatal injuries when he became entangled in a 20-metre long lathe.

Nick Hardiman was employed by Somers Forge Limited as a machinist at their forge on Prospect Road, Halesowen.

On 8 December 2023, the 54-year-old from Kidderminster was working on a lathe in the machine shop. Whilst using handheld emery cloth to finish a rotating component, Mr Hardiman became entangled in the dangerous moving parts of the lathe, sustaining catastrophic injuries.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, Nick Hardiman sadly died later that evening.

Mr Hardiman leaves behind his partner, Melanie; his siblings Robert, Glenis, Lorraine and David; and his parents Michael and Doreen.

Nick’s siblings Robert, Glenis, Lorraine and David said: “We can’t comprehend how someone can go to work and not come home again. Everyone is absolutely devastated.”

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Somers Forge Limited had failed to:

– prohibit the use of handheld emery cloth on lathes

– prevent access to dangerous moving parts of the lathe

– ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by workers did not create risk of being injured by, or drawn into, the lathe

– undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the lathe, or establish a safe operating procedure

HSE provides guidance on using emery cloth on metalworking lathes. This guidance establishes that it is never acceptable to apply emery cloth by hand to a rotating component, as there is a risk of the operator becoming entangled or dragged into the danger zone.

Somers Forge Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £750,000 and ordered to pay £38,314 in costs at Walsall Magistrates’ Court on 18 February 2026.

Nick’s partner Melanie said: “Nick had everything to live for – a loving home and a partner who adored him, family and friends, and a fulfilling life ahead of him. We used to have a life; now I just exist.

I will forever miss the sound of his voice, the smell of his aftershave, the feel of his cuddles and kisses, and the times we would spend together.”

Nick’s father Michael said: “We feel very proud when we speak about Nick, but it really hurts to talk. We think about Nick every single day.”

HSE Inspector Sophie Neale said: “This was an entirely preventable incident which has had tragic consequences.

Employers must ensure that safe systems of work are in place and that workers are not exposed to foreseeable risks from dangerous machinery.

My thoughts are with Nick’s family and friends.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Chloe Ward, and paralegal officer Stephen Grabe.

Further Information

1.    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.

2.    More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.

3.    Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.

4.    Relevant guidance can be found here Using emery cloth on metalworking lathes – HSE

5.    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.

– Flowchem UK Ltd fined £50,000 after worker suffered chemical burns from corrosive drain un-blocker

– HSE found inadequate training, PPE not routinely worn, and insufficient first aid provisions

– HSE guidance is available

A manufacturer of household cleaning products in Nottingham has been fined after an agency worker suffered burns to her face, eye, neck and arm when she was doused in a corrosive sink and drain un-blocker.

Marzanna Sokolowska was working for Flowchem UK Ltd at its manufacturing site in Nottingham on 2nd November 2023 when she was doused with a significant quantity of corrosive liquid after accidentally opening the wrong valve on a 1,000 litre container.

Ms Sokolowska was working in a team decanting sink and drain un-blocker liquid from bulk containers at shoulder height into smaller containers for sale.

Ms Sokoloska accidentally opened the outlet valve on an adjacent container to the one fitted with a decanting hose, which had no end cap fitted. The liquid sprayed out under considerable force splashing her in the face and upper body.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the system of work employed by Flowchem exposed their employees and agency workers to health and safety risks in the event of leaks or losses of containment.

Training arrangements, including the provision of adequate information to workers with limited understanding of English was inadequate. Whilst some personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided by the company, it was routinely not worn, and there was inadequate supervision or monitoring to ensure the use of PPE.

Whilst eye-wash bottles were provided, the first aid arrangements available did not take account of the potential scale of any exposure, including the lack of a shower for example.

HSE guidance on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) states that employers should identify the risks arising from the use of substances hazardous to health and put in place effective measures to prevent exposure and mitigate the consequences of any such exposure. These measures should include consideration of the systems of work under which the dangerous substances are handled, the training and supervision of those engaged in the work and the provision of adequate PPE and first aid arrangements.

Flowchem UK Ltd of Mark Street, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5AD pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £7,247.40 in costs with a victim surcharge of £2000 at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 12 February 2026.

HSE Inspector, Angus Robbins, said: “The systems of work employed by Flowchem unnecessarily exposed workers to risks of injury from exposure to corrosive chemicals. More suitable working methods, including avoidance of decanting large volumes stored at or above head height could have been employed. Following the incident, Flowchem changed their working methods to eliminate these risks.

“Ms Sokolowska suffered very painful injuries and was unable to work for a considerable period. Of particular concern were the burns to her eyelid and eye. Fortunately, she has made a reasonable recovery and been able to return to work.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer, Andrew Siddall and paralegal officer, Farhat Basir.

Further Information

1. 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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here COSHH basics: overview – COSHH
5. 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.

– Employee lost finger when glove caught in metalworking lathe while using emery cloth

– Company failed to assess risks and ensure safe system of work

– HSE guidance states emery cloth should never be applied directly by hand

A machine manufacturing company in Middleton has been fined after an employee lost their  finger and required amputation  when it became caught in emery cloth used on a metal-working lathe.

On 26 April 2024, an employee was using emery cloth to polish metal work pieces when his glove was drawn into the lathe he was operating.

Following the incident, the employee had a finger on his right hand amputated. He was unable to return to his profession as a turner and was made redundant from Carter Brothers in January 2025.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Carter Brothers failed to adequately assess the risk to employees undertaking polishing of work pieces using emery cloths and failed to ensure a safe system of work.

HSE provides guidance using emery cloth on metalworking lathes . Guidance states that emery cloth should never be applied directly by hand to work rotating in a lathe. Acceptable methods include using the tool post as a clamp or a dedicated holding device, both of which reduce the risk of injury.

Carter Brothers International Limited, of Unit 30 Finlan Road, Stakehill Industrial Estate, Manchester, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £3,758.55 in costs with a victim surcharge of £2000 at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 9 February 2026.

HSE Inspector Leanne Ratcliffe said:

“This incident not only left the employee with a life-altering injury, but also meant they could not continue working in their chosen profession.

“The risks associated with using emery cloth on metalworking lathes are widely known. The company should have introduced measures to carry out polishing safely and today’s fine reflects their failure to properly follow health and safety guidance

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski and paralegal officer Benjamin Stobbart.

Further Information

1. 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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Using emery cloth on metalworking lathes and  EIS2: The use of emery cloth on metalworking lathes
5. 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.

• South Kirkby firm fined £24,395 after employee suffered partial severing of two fingers
• Worker was cleaning printing machine when fingers were drawn into unguarded rollers
• HSE investigation found company failed to prevent access to dangerous machinery parts

A wooden cable drum manufacturer based in South Kirkby has been fined £24,395 after an employee’s fingers were severed in a printing machine.

A 57-year-old woman was working for Askern UK Limited at its site in South Kirkby, Pontefract on 8 March 2024 when she was able to raise the guard and easily override an interlock to run the rollers of a machine which prints logos. The employee was cleaning the rollers with a paper towel when her fingers were drawn into the nip point, leaving two of her fingers partially severed.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Askern UK Limited failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, namely the moving rollers of the printing machine. The investigation also found that the company had failed to adequately maintain the machine or provide employees with suitable training for the printer.

HSE guidance states employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. This includes ensuring protection devices, such as interlocks, are not easily bypassed or disabled. Further guidance on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) is available.

Askern UK Limited, of 28 Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, Pontefract, WF9 3NR, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £24,395, ordered to pay £5000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000 at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 4 February 2026.

HSE inspector Shauna Halstead said: “This case demonstrated multiple failures by the company in respect of the printing machine.

“An employee was tasked with cleaning the printer without provision of suitable information, instruction or training, particularly in relation to the safety devices intended to protect them.

“A suitable interlock and employee training would have prevented this incident”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Crockett, paralegal officer Benjamin Stobbart, and HSE legal team.

Notes to Editors

1. 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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) – HSE
5. 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.

• A mechanic suffered multiple fractures and a crushed foot when a one-tonne JCB bucket fell on him
• HSE investigation found appropriate equipment had not been used
• Guidance states elevated vehicle load areas should be effectively propped if access is needed below

A plant hire company has been fined after a mechanic suffered life-changing injuries when a JCB bucket fell on him while he was helping to repair a tipper truck.

On the 24 October 2023, the employee of Salford Grab Hire Limited was assisting a colleague in repairing a broken lifting mechanism on a tipper truck body. A JCB was being used to prop up the tipper body in the raised position when the one-tonne bucket became dislodged and fell.

The worker suffered multiple fractures to his hand, shoulder blade, ribs, shin and thigh, as well as a crushed ankle and foot. He also developed a blood clot in his lungs as a result of the incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Salford Grab Hire Limited had not used appropriate equipment to support the tipper body during repairs. The bucket being used to prop up the body did not have a quick hitch or retaining pin, causing it to become dislodged and fall.

HSE guidance on health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries   states that elevated vehicle load areas, such as those on tipper lorries, should be effectively propped if access is needed below them. Props should only be used on firm, level ground and must be designed to adequately carry the loads placed on them.

Salford Grab Hire Limited of Fairacre Astley Moss, Tyldesley, Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,475.90 at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 27 January 2026.

HSE Inspector Rose Leese-Weller said: “Every year we see serious and sometimes fatal injuries to people working under a poorly propped vehicle body. Employers must not underestimate the risks involved and must ensure that appropriate equipment and systems of work are used when undertaking such work.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers Julian White and Nathan Cook, and paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.

Notes to Editors

1. 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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries
5. 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.

• An employee had four fingers severed when a rotary valve had not been properly isolated from the power supply
• A second employee was struck by a forklift truck when the driver’s view was obscured by the load
• Exwold Technology fined over £50,000 for two breaches of Health and Safety at Work act

A Hartlepool chemical manufacturer has been fined after two employees were injured in separate incidents at two of its sites within just three months.

On 3 September 2021, an employee at Exwold Technology Limited’s Haverton Hill site in Billingham sustained serious injuries when four fingers on his left hand were severed during machinery start-up. The blades of a rotary valve had not been effectively isolated from the power supply while part of the production line was being prepared between cleaning operations. As the employee checked for air flow, his fingers became caught between the blades and the valve’s internal casing, resulting in the amputation.

Less than three months later, on 24 November 2021, a second incident occurred at the company’s Brenda Road site in Hartlepool. An employee was struck by a forklift truck after the driver’s view was obscured by the load being carried. The driver was unaware that a pedestrian was walking in front of the vehicle at the time of the collision.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that at the Billingham site the company had failed to put suitable procedures in place to effectively isolate dangerous machinery between cleaning operations.

A separate investigation found that at the Hartlepool site the company had failed to effectively manage forklift truck operations and designated pedestrian routes.

HSE provides guidance to help prevent incidents of this kind. For chemical manufacturing sites with machinery related risks, including the safe isolation of equipment during cleaning and maintenance, HSE’s guidance on the safe isolation of plant and equipment  outlines the standards and procedures duty holders should follow to ensure hazardous machinery is securely isolated before work takes place.

For workplace transport risks, including the management of forklift operations and separation of pedestrians and vehicles, HSE’s guide to workplace transport safety sets out clear expectations for safe site design, traffic routes, vehicle visibility and segregation measures to prevent collisions.

Exwold Technology Limited of Brenda Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to two breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £10,492.19 in costs with a victim surcharge of £190 at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on 29 January 2026.

In court, the judge referenced the genuine improvement the company had made to improve health and safety following the incidents.

HSE Inspector Jonathan Wills said: “Workplace transport and machinery guarding incidents continue to have life-changing consequences for those who are simply  carrying out their day-to-day jobs.

“The safe isolation of dangerous moving parts must be considered for routine maintenance activities such as this.”

“Businesses must also ensure that precautions are in place to protect workers in areas where forklift trucks operate.”

“For two such serious incidents to occur at the same company in such a short space of time is particularly troubling, and Exwold Technology Limited’s work to improve health and safety at their sites is necessary and urgent.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Jonathan Bambro and paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.

Further Information

1. 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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found at The safe isolation of plant and equipment – HSE and A guide to workplace transport safety – HSE
5. 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

• Worker’s legs crushed between metal frames weighing over a tonne
• HSE investigation uncovers failure of firm to act after previous incidents
• Guidance states employers must ensure dangerous machinery is effectively guarded

A national manufacturer of building materials has been fined £633,300 after an employee’s legs were crushed between one-tonne metal frames moving on a production line.

Richard Ogunleye, a father of three from South Woodham Ferrers in Essex, was working for Tarmac Building Products Limited at its manufacturing plant in Linford, Essex, on 22 July 2022 when he entered a fenced area to manually clean and inspect frames. The frames, which carry large blocks through the manufacturing process, move around the factory on a trackway.

Richard entered the fenced area through an interlocked gate which, when opened, was supposed to prevent frames from moving on that section of the track. As he was working on the stationary frame, another frame moved along the trackway into the section and struck him. Richard’s legs were crushed and pinned between the two frames.

He was trapped as the frames continued to move along the track, pushing him towards machinery on the next section. Richard’s right leg was broken and the other severely bruised as the frames moved over axles on the track. His colleague saw the incident from a distance and ran to help, pressing the emergency stop button in time to prevent further injury.

Richard spent two weeks in hospital, where a metal rod and screws were used to repair the injuries to his right leg. He was unable to return to work for over a year and underwent extensive physiotherapy.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Tarmac Building Products Limited failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, namely the moving frames on the track, or prevent the frames from moving when employees entered the danger zone. The interlocked gate which employees used to enter the frame cleaning area did not stop the power on the preceding sections of track and would therefore not prevent a frame from moving into this area when employees were working.

The HSE investigation also revealed that the company had failed to act following several near misses which had occurred on this section of the track in similar circumstances. The investigation also found that a risk assessment had been carried out by the company several years before the incident which identified “additional control measures required to reduce risk to an acceptable level”, but these were not put in place until after Richard was injured.

HSE guidance on safe use of work equipment states that employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.

Employers should also be investigating accidents and incidents of near misses as part of their monitoring process to identify why the existing risk control measures failed and what improvements or additional measures are needed.

Tarmac Building Products Limited, of Interchange 10 Railway Drive, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LH, pleaded guilty to failing to discharge their duty under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £633,300, ordered to pay £5,583 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000 at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 29 January 2026.

HSE Inspector Connor Stowers said:

“This was a serious and entirely avoidable incident, which has had profound consequences for Mr. Ogunleye, and were it not for the quick action of a fellow worker, the injuries he sustained could have been worse.

“Employers need to ensure that dangerous machinery is guarded effectively, and this goes beyond the initial installation. Employers should frequently monitor how effective their measures are and make changes as needed. Monitoring arrangements should include properly investigating near misses and previous incidents.

“In this case, had the previous near misses on the block production line at Tarmac Linford been fully investigated and sufficient action taken, this life-changing injury would never have occurred.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Farhat Basir.

Further Information

1. 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.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Relevant guidance on machinery guarding can be found here https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l22.htm (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: Approved Code of Practice and guidance). Further guidance on monitoring for safety and investigating workplace accidents can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg65.htm (Managing for health and safety); https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg245.htm (Investigating accidents and incidents: A workbook for employers, unions, safety representatives and safety professionals).
5. 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

Blyth Marble Limited has been fined after a worker was killed when granite slabs fell from a lorry loader at the company’s premises in Larkhall.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that on 4 September 2024, Steven White, 61, was offloading granite slabs from a lorry loader at Blyth Marble Limited’s premises at 1 Carlisle Road, Larkhall. Mr White was working on top of the flatbed section of the lorry when two granite slabs, with a combined weight of over 900 kilograms, fell and struck him, causing fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that vertical safety posts, which provide a physical barrier to prevent slabs from toppling, had been removed during the offloading operation. While it was accepted custom and practice for the posts to remain fitted during offloading it was not specified in the company’s Safe System of Work.

The investigation also found that while lifting two slabs at once was regular practice, the company’s Safe System of Work failed to distinguish between single slab lifting and multiple slab lifting and lacked specific instruction for handling multiple slabs. Additionally, Mr White was working alone on the lorry loader, whereas the Safe System of Work specified that two people should be involved in offloading operations.

Further information on the safe handling of stone slabs and lifting operations can be found at Handling and storage of large sheet stone slabs – HSE and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) – HSE.

Blyth Marble Limited, of Carlton Industrial Estate, Carlton In Lindrick, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 with a victim surcharge of £3,750 at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 28 January 2026.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Martin McMahon said:

“This was a tragic incident which could have been prevented had the company made sure the   appropriate safety measures were in place and followed during offloading operations.

“Employers must ensure that safe systems of work are not only in place but are sufficiently detailed to address all foreseeable risks, including the requirement for safety equipment to remain in position and for adequate personnel to be present during hazardous operations.

Our thoughts remain with Steven White’s loved ones, and we hope today’s verdict offers them a measure of closure.”

Further Information

1.    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.

2.    More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.

3.    Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.

4.    Relevant guidance can be found here Handling and storage of large sheet stone slabs – HSE and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) – HSE.

5.    HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed.

A housing association maintenance company has been fined £400,000 after an employee died from inhaling toxic vapours from flooring adhesive.

Darren Nevill, 38, was working for Connect Property Services Limited laying a vinyl bathroom floor at a domestic property in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire on 9 December 2020.

His employer purchased an adhesive containing Dichloromethane (DCM), a highly volatile solvent. Small volumes will give off large amounts of colourless, low odour vapour, even at room temperature. He used this regularly during his employment.

On the day of his death, the hose to the pressurised glue canister became damaged, releasing a large amount of adhesive into the poorly ventilated bathroom. Mr Nevill lost consciousness and collapsed. Emergency services had to force entry to the bathroom to reach him.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Connect Property Services Limited, of Ealing Gateway, 26-30 Uxbridge Road, London, had failed to take appropriate precautions to ensure substances hazardous to health are not used when safer alternatives are available.

HSE guidance on Dichloromethane (DCM) states to avoid the use of DCM-based products whenever reasonably practicable, by using suitable and safer alternative products or methods. DCM-based products should only be used in well-ventilated areas, to prevent the build-up of vapour. Examples of poorly ventilated areas can include bathrooms, cellars, stairwells and sheeted enclosures.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. At Stevenage Magistrates Court on 26 January 2026, Connect Property Services Limited was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9676.81 with a surcharge of £190.

Prosecutor Jon Mack told the court “HSE scientists calculated that the statutory 15-minute exposure limit for DCM would have been reached within 2-13 seconds, and the final concentration in the bathroom at the time of Mr Nevill’s death would have been 84.5 times the exposure limit. Mr Nevill was found to have three times the fatal concentration of DCM.”

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Rauf Ahmed said: “Our thoughts today are with the family of Mr Nevill, who was just setting out on his career in construction. He should have returned home safely to his family at the end of his working day but, because of the failings of Connect Property Services Limited, he did not.”

The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Neenu Bains and paralegal officer Helen Jacob.

Further Information

1.    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.

2.    More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.

3.    Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.

4.    Relevant guidance can be found here Dichloromethane (DCM) – COSHH – HSE

5.    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.