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SME sentenced after PUWER breaches and death of employee

Stanley Wire Limited was fined after an operative suffered a fatal head injury due to failures to comply with PUWER and basic health and safety requirements. The HSE found the company had not appointed a competent person, resulting in inadequate machinery guarding and uncontrolled risk.

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What the HSE Expects from Directors After a Serious Accident

​An SME specialising in the manufacture of annealed wire was sentenced after an employee died after becoming entangled in an unguarded wire drawing and recoiling machine.

The comments in this press release should be an eye-opener to directors..

“the company could have appointed a designated competent person”

“fixed closed guards, interlocks or pressure mats should have been installed”

“Recognised industry-standard safety measures could and should have been implemented”

There are moral, financial and legal consequences when health and safety goes wrong.

Risk is based on perception – and this varies amongst directors.

Our Competent Person service would have identified breaches of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations before the serious accident could have occurred, and provided directors with clear guidance on what action to take and how.

Remember, PUWER regulation 11 is not qualified by “so far as is reasonably practicable” – it is an absolute duty and you are required to take action regardless of the cost. We ensure you know where you stand legally so you can allocate your resources accordingly.

Read the full press release here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/01/23/company-fined-after-operative-receives-fatal-head-injury-at-work/

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