Easy Cleaning Solutions Ltd, a chemical manufacturer based in Thetford, has been fined £100,000 and ordered to pay significant costs after an employee sustained a broken finger and other severe hand injuries. The incident occurred on 24 April 2024, when the worker’s hand became entangled in unguarded conveyor machinery at the company’s manufacturing site.
The employee was performing a routine task, removing a cardboard box from a running conveyor within the packaging area, when their hand was caught in the dangerous, unguarded parts of the machinery. The resulting injuries were serious, requiring surgery and leading to a six-week absence from work for the affected individual.
Unguarded machinery causes serious hand injury at Thetford site
An investigation launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) meticulously examined the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation concluded that Easy Cleaning Solutions Ltd had failed in its fundamental duty to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. Specifically, the powered conveyor, which linked two pieces of handling equipment, lacked the necessary guarding to protect workers from moving parts. This critical lapse in safety measures directly led to the employee’s preventable injury.
The company, located on Brunel Way, Thetford, IP24 1HF, subsequently pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). This regulation specifically mandates that employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. The court proceedings at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 17 July 2026 saw Easy Cleaning Solutions Ltd receive the substantial fine of £100,000, in addition to being ordered to pay costs totalling £6,468.18.
HSE Inspector Paul Shackleton underscored the critical importance of proper machinery guarding in preventing workplace accidents. He highlighted that a significant proportion of incidents each year, many resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities, are directly attributable to poorly guarded work equipment. Inspector Shackleton emphasised that this particular incident was entirely avoidable, stating that had Easy Cleaning Solutions Ltd installed suitable guarding on the conveyor, the employee’s injury could have been prevented.
The HSE provides clear and comprehensive guidance to employers on the necessity of implementing effective measures to prevent access to dangerous machinery. This typically involves the installation of fixed guards, which permanently restrict access to hazardous areas. In situations where routine access to machinery parts is required, the guidance stipulates the use of interlocking guards, often combined with guard locking mechanisms. These systems are designed to stop dangerous parts from moving before a person can reach the danger zone, thereby ensuring worker safety during operational tasks or maintenance.
Employers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of their workforce, and this includes conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing appropriate control measures for all work equipment. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) serves as a cornerstone of workplace safety, outlining the requirements for equipment to be safe for use, maintained, and inspected, with specific provisions for guarding dangerous parts. This prosecution serves as a stark reminder to all organisations of the severe consequences that can arise from a failure to adhere to these vital safety regulations.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
