Waste and recycling company prosecuted and fined £270,000
Wednesday 5th November 2025
A waste and recycling company has been prosecuted and fined after a worker was injured while cleaning machinery. The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The worker was cleaning a waste picking line when they became trapped in a section of the machine whilst the machinery was running. The worker suffered injuries including a fractured shoulder, torn ligaments and a broken finger.
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was found that the company had failed to ensure that an isolated procedure for cleaning the machinery had been implemented correctly.
Businesses should ensure that they are effectively monitoring, auditing and reviewing their isolation systems whilst also ensuring that they can demonstrate their work in controlling the risks.