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PHW · Machinery · 2026-01-22

Stanley Wire Limited fined £140,000 after a worker was fatally entangled in an unguarded machine

Penistone, South Yorkshire · Sheffield Magistrates' Court

What happened

A worker became entangled in an unguarded wire drawing and recoiling machine that had exposed moving parts. He suffered a fatal head injury as a result.

Injuries: fatal

The breach

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

The sentence

  • Fine: £140,000
  • Costs: £6,652
  • Other sentence: eight Prohibition Notices served following the incident
HSE inspector

“Companies are reminded that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required health and safety standards.”

What would have prevented it

Machinery with exposed moving parts, such as wire drawing and recoiling equipment, must be properly guarded and interlocked before it is used.

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Source: HSE press release, Company fined after operative receives fatal head injury at work