Bakery Giant Fined £120,000 Over Health and Safety Breaches

A prominent bakery manufacturer, Puratos Limited, has been hit with a significant fine of £120,000 following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation that uncovered serious health and safety failings at its Buckingham facility. The company's employees were found to be at risk of developing occupational asthma and sustaining musculoskeletal injuries due to inadequate control measures.

The prosecution, heard at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court on 17 July 2026, also ordered Puratos to pay costs of £6,270 after the company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Repeated Failures in Dust Control and Manual Handling

The HSE's inspection on 3 December 2024 revealed a concerning lack of proper control measures to manage dust exposure. Inspectors observed dust escaping from machinery due to leaks, the use of compressed air lines to clear dust deposits, and dry sweeping methods employing brushes and brooms. A subsequent workplace dust monitoring report on 18 December 2024 confirmed that employees were exposed to inhalable dust concentrations exceeding the HSE's established workplace exposure limits.

HSE Inspector Emma Page highlighted the preventable nature of occupational asthma, stating, “Too many workers in bakeries are suffering from unnecessary exposure to dusty ingredients, including flour. When employers prevent exposure, the risk of occupational asthma is removed.”

Beyond dust hazards, the investigation also identified that workers were routinely required to manually lift 25kg sacks of ingredients. The HSE stressed that repeated manual handling of heavy loads can lead to musculoskeletal injuries and should be avoided where reasonably practicable.

Notably, this is not the first time Puratos' Buckingham facility has faced enforcement action for similar issues. A previous inspection in 2021 also resulted in enforcement measures related to employee dust exposure and manual handling risks.

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The Broader Context of HSE Enforcement

This case serves as a stark reminder of the HSE's ongoing commitment to enforcing workplace safety regulations. In the 2023/24 period, the HSE completed 248 prosecutions, with a 92% conviction rate. Fines awarded in 2024 for health and safety prosecutions across various UK industries totalled over £17 million, underscoring the severe legal and financial repercussions of neglecting safety protocols. The waste and recycling, utilities, and construction sectors were particularly affected by health and safety breaches in 2024.

The HSE's focus continues to be on preventing serious injuries and fatalities, which are often linked to failures in basic safety controls rather than complex, unforeseeable events. Common issues leading to prosecutions include falls from height, workplace transport incidents, machinery-related accidents, and inadequate systems of work. Investigations frequently reveal that existing risk assessments are often outdated, generic, or not effectively implemented.

Employers are urged to prioritise regular risk assessments, comprehensive staff training, and the implementation of robust safety management systems to ensure compliance with regulations and protect their workforce.

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