Home / Real cases / Miller UK Ltd

PHW · Manufacturing and engineering · 2026-10-02

Miller UK Ltd fined £173,334 after an excavator bucket collapsed on a man repairing it and trapped him, and a later inspection found welding fume risks had not been assessed

Cramlington, Northumberland · North Tyneside Magistrates Court

What happened

On 10 November 2023 a 25-year-old man was repairing an excavator bucket, removing worn steel pieces from inside its mouth. The bucket's structure failed and collapsed onto him, trapping him. Two colleagues attached an overhead crane and lifted the bucket enough for him to crawl free.

Injuries: The man suffered eight fractured ribs, two fractured knees, two fractured vertebrae and a bruised left lung.

The breach

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

The sentence

  • Fine: £173,334
  • Costs: £8,674
  • Other sentence: The company pleaded guilty to both charges. No other sentence is stated on the page.
HSE inspector

“HSE can and will take action when duty holders fail to discharge their health and safety obligations”

What would have prevented it

Risk assess each repair job before it starts, give workers a safe system of work and proper instruction, and check welding fume controls such as local exhaust ventilation are in place and monitored.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Whoever is free takes the forklift. Could you show who is trained?

View →
Machine

Mini digger and 360 excavator training

View →
Quiz

Could you show an HSE inspector who is trained on your forklifts and grinders?

View →

Source: HSE press release, Six-figure fine for company after man’s crush injuries uncovered wider failings