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PHW · Manufacturing · 2026-08-20

Truro Sawmills Limited fined £20,000 after repeated failure to protect staff from wood dust

Truro, Cornwall · Truro Crown Court

What happened

The sawmill failed to comply with multiple Improvement Notices requiring protection from wood dust exposure and safe use of rider-operated lift trucks. Employees lacked proper lift truck training, face-fit testing for respiratory protective equipment, and health surveillance.

Injuries: No specific injuries documented; the case concerned unmanaged long-term health risk from wood dust exposure.

The breach

Section 2(1) and section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (company); section 37(1) (director)

The sentence

  • Fine: £20,000
  • Costs: £5,000
  • Other sentence: Director personally fined £5,000 plus £2,500 costs and disqualified from being a company director for 5 years.
HSE inspector

“Exposure to wood dust can cause asthma, respiratory conditions and cancer, yet this firm failed to act on legally-binding notices.”

What would have prevented it

An Improvement Notice is a legal deadline, not a suggestion; ignoring it converts a health risk into a prosecution and, for a director, personal liability.

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Source: HSE press release, Cornwall sawmill and company director fined after failing to act on health and safety notices