Severe COSHH Failures Lead to Major Penalty
A food manufacturing company in Buckinghamshire has been heavily penalized following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that uncovered profound failures in managing hazardous substances. Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court heard that employees at Puratos Limited were routinely exposed to inhalable dust concentrations well above the workplace exposure limits established by the regulator, putting them at serious risk of developing debilitating conditions such as occupational asthma.
The prosecution follows targeted inspection campaigns launched by the HSE across large bakeries in Great Britain, focusing specifically on the control of dusty ingredients like flour. Regulators have repeatedly emphasized that exposure to bakery dust is a well-documented respiratory hazard requiring rigorous engineering controls and active administrative oversight under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
Unsafe Practices and Omission of Control Measures
The HSE intervention, triggered by an inspection conducted on December 3, 2024, revealed multiple systemic safety breakdowns across the production floor. Investigators found that dust was freely escaping from machinery due to inadequate seals and leaks. Furthermore, workers were permitted to use compressed airlines to blow down accumulated dust deposits and engaged in dry sweeping with brushes and brooms—methods strictly discouraged by health and safety guidance because they aerosolize fine particles into the breathing zone.
A subsequent workplace dust monitoring report confirmed that airborne concentrations on site exceeded permissible limits. In addition to respiratory hazards, the investigation highlighted severe ergonomic failures: employees were required to manually lift 25kg sacks of ingredients on a daily basis without adequate mechanical handling aids, creating a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Because the site had previously faced enforcement action in 2021 regarding dust exposure and manual handling, the court took a stern view of the repeat non-compliance.
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Legal Consequences and Industry Wide Warnings
Puratos Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. On July 17, 2026, the company was ordered to pay a fine of £120,000 alongside £6,270 in prosecution costs. HSE inspectors noted that failing to implement basic, known control measures in food production environments is unacceptable and places vulnerable workers at risk of lifelong chronic illness.
This case serves as an urgent reminder for commercial kitchens, bakeries, and food processing plants to review their risk assessments and ensure robust local exhaust ventilation (LEV), appropriate personal protective equipment, and comprehensive staff education are actively maintained. Employers looking to elevate their internal standards and ensure full compliance can access accredited programs and guidance through Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.