A multi-national company that manufactures wood-based products has been fined more than £1 million by the HSE after two workers were seriously injured in separate incidents just months apart.
The case highlights the critical role of proactive health and safety management in preventing accidents and avoiding costly fines.
West Fraser (Europe) Ltd, formerly known as Norbord, admitted to multiple health and safety breaches at its plant in Cowie. The incidents, which took place in 2020, resulted in severe injuries for two employees and an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The company had already been fined over £2 million in 2022 following the tragic death of another worker at the same site.
Two Preventable Accidents
In January 2020, utility operator Sean Gallagher suffered serious leg injuries after becoming entangled in moving machinery. He had initially followed company procedures to inspect a fault in a biomass plant bunker, but later re-entered the area without turning off the power. He was trapped and had to use his phone to call for help before being rescued and taken to hospital. His injuries included compound fractures to his right leg.
Following the incident, the company installed a mesh guard across the bunker hatch, ensuring it could only be accessed with a supervisor’s approval once the system was isolated. This was a necessary safety measure that should have been in place before an accident occurred.
Just six months later, in July 2020, scaffolder David McMillan suffered multiple fractures, including to his neck and ankle, when he fell over 13 feet after a steel gantry plate collapsed beneath him. An HSE investigation found the gantry was in poor condition, with corroded steel flooring and welds at risk of failure. There had been no maintenance schedule or regular safety checks in place to identify these issues before they became dangerous. The gantry was later dismantled and removed from the site.
A Costly Lesson in Safety Failures
West Fraser (Europe) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching multiple safety regulations. The company was fined £28,000 for the first incident and a further £1,040,000 for the second.
Following the court ruling, HSE inspector Stuart Easson commented: “This is the second time in five years this company has been handed a large fine for failing to protect workers. Although both men sustained very serious injuries in these latest incidents, both are lucky to be alive. We hope this outcome demonstrates that repeated failures of this nature are not acceptable.”
Why Regular Health and Safety Audits Matter
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of why businesses need to prioritise health and safety. A reactive approach leaves workers at risk and businesses exposed to significant legal and financial consequences.
Regular independent health and safety assessments help businesses identify hazards before they lead to serious harm. A consultant can ensure that:
- Machinery is properly maintained and safeguarded.
- Work at height risks are regularly reviewed and managed.
- Employees are following safe working procedures.
- Maintenance schedules and inspection routines are in place and effective.
Waiting until an accident happens is not an option. A proactive approach to health and safety protects workers, prevents costly fines, and ensures businesses remain compliant with the law.
If health and safety is not reviewed regularly, risks can go unnoticed, until it is too late.
Comments