Company fined £600,000 after employee suffered burns

A company has been convicted of breaching Regulation 5(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and section 33(1) of Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 after a prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

HSE investigated and prosecuted after a worker suffered severe burns from molten glass which spilt into the cab of the vehicle they were driving. The vehicle did not have a protective door as it had been damaged and not repaired.

Regulation 5 (1) of PUWER sets an expectation that employers shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and good repair. The company fell below this standard and pleaded guilty to the offence.

Businesses should conduct regular checks and maintenance on equipment to ensure it is fully functioning and provide staff with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision on its use.