HSE Crackdown on Bakery Sector Exposes Severe COSHH Failings
Health and safety enforcement across the UK food manufacturing sector has intensified following a landmark prosecution that highlights persistent risks associated with hazardous workplace dusts. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has ramped up targeted inspections across large bakeries and food processing plants, focusing heavily on compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
This renewed regulatory scrutiny follows a high-profile case heard at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court, where a prominent food manufacturer was penalized heavily for putting workers at risk of debilitating respiratory conditions. The prosecution serves as a sharp warning to industrial operators who fail to implement adequate engineering controls and risk management systems for respiratory sensitisers such as flour and grain dust.
Details of the Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court Hearing
The legal proceedings centered on an investigation into Puratos Limited, operating at the Buckingham Industrial Park. Following an initial inspection conducted on 3 December 2024, HSE inspectors identified widespread safety failures, including significant quantities of dust escaping from machinery due to faulty seals and structural leaks. Investigators also discovered dangerous cleaning practices, such as workers using compressed airlines to blow down accumulated dust deposits and engaging in dry sweeping with ordinary brushes and brooms.
Subsequent workplace air monitoring conducted on 18 December 2024 confirmed that employee exposure levels regularly exceeded the strict Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) established by the regulator. Inspectors noted that the company had previously faced enforcement action during a 2021 site visit regarding identical dust exposure and manual handling hazards. Workers at the facility were routinely required to lift heavy 25kg sacks of dry ingredients manually, compounding the physical risk profile of the operation.
As a result of these findings, Puratos Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. On 17 July 2026, the company was handed a £120,000 fine and ordered to pay an additional £6,270 in prosecution costs.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see COSHH assessor training or explore health and safety trainer qualifications for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
Wider Regulatory Pressures and Industry Implications
The case underscores the severe financial and operational consequences of neglecting hazardous substances. Across Great Britain, occupational lung disease remains a catastrophic burden; HSE figures estimate that approximately 11,000 lung disease deaths occur annually due to historic exposures in workplaces, with respiratory sensitisers playing a primary role in conditions like occupational asthma.
HSE inspector Emma Page emphasized the preventable nature of these incidents after the hearing, noting that rigorous containment and source extraction remove the risk entirely. Industry analysts point out that COSHH violations account for a substantial percentage of enforcement interventions nationally, driven by a regulatory climate that increasingly favors formal prosecution and strict Fee for Intervention (FFI) cost recovery.
Ensuring Compliance Through Proper Training
To navigate this stringent regulatory landscape, food manufacturers, bakeries, and industrial facilities must prioritize robust risk assessments, routine air monitoring, and comprehensive staff education. Ensuring that personnel understand safe handling procedures, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) maintenance, and the hazards of airborne dust is essential for preventing both regulatory penalties and long-term health degradation. Organizations seeking to audit their safety standards and upskill personnel can access accredited guidance and professional instruction via Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.