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PHW · Machinery · 2026-08-10

Reflex Flexible Packaging Limited fined £60,000 after a worker's hand was drawn into a laminator's nip point

Telford, Shropshire · Birmingham Magistrates' Court

What happened

A laminator operative cleaning rollers at the Telford site had a hand drawn into the machine's nip point after a rag became caught during cleaning. There was no fixed guard preventing access to the dangerous moving parts during the cleaning operation.

Injuries: severe crush injuries requiring two operations and four nights in hospital

The breach

PUWER 1998 reg 11(1)

The sentence

  • Fine: £60,000
  • Costs: £4,464
HSE inspector

“This incident was entirely preventable. Reflex Flexible Packaging Limited failed to ensure effective measures were in place to prevent access to dangerous parts during cleaning.”

What would have prevented it

Machines must be fitted with fixed guards, or a documented safe system for cleaning, so operators can never access nip points while moving parts are live.

How PHW helps

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Source: HSE press release, Packaging manufacturer fined for second time in less than a year after worker's hand crushed in laminator machine