Food Manufacturer Fined for Repeated Safety Breaches
A food manufacturing company, Puratos Limited, has been fined £120,000 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after its employees were exposed to hazardous inhalable dust and manual handling risks at its Buckingham factory. The prosecution follows an HSE inspection that identified multiple unsafe practices, putting workers at risk of occupational asthma and musculoskeletal injuries.
Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court heard that an HSE inspection on 3 December 2024 uncovered a series of failings, including dust escaping from machinery due to leaks, the use of compressed airlines to clear dust deposits, and dry sweeping with brushes and brooms. A subsequent workplace dust monitoring report from 18 December 2024 confirmed that employees were exposed to inhalable dust concentrations exceeding the workplace exposure limits set by the HSE.
Previous Warnings Unheeded
This is not the first time Puratos Limited has faced scrutiny over its safety practices. The site had been inspected previously in 2021, resulting in enforcement action related to employees' exposure to dust and manual handling risks. Despite these earlier interventions, the company failed to implement effective control measures, leading to the recent prosecution.
HSE Inspector Emma Page highlighted the preventable nature of such incidents, 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.” Page also emphasised the prevalence of manual handling injuries in the food and drink industries, where approximately one-third of reportable injuries are acute injuries caused by handling and lifting. She urged employers to adequately protect workers from the dangers of dusty ingredients and heavy manual handling.
The Dangers of Inadequate Safety Measures
The case against Puratos Limited underscores the critical importance of adhering to health and safety regulations, particularly in environments with known hazards like dust and heavy lifting. Occupational asthma, a severe respiratory condition, can develop from prolonged exposure to airborne irritants such as flour dust. Similarly, repeated manual handling of heavy loads, such as 25kg sacks of ingredients, can lead to debilitating musculoskeletal injuries.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see manual handling trainer courses or explore COSHH assessor training for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
The HSE has been conducting a series of inspections across large bakeries in Great Britain since January 2026, specifically checking that employers are protecting workers from the dangers of dusty ingredients. This proactive approach aims to prevent further cases of work-related ill health and injury within the sector.
In a separate recent case, an event structure company and its director were fined after a worker suffered life-changing injuries during the dismantling of a steel frame. The incident, which occurred on 26 June 2024, involved the use of an unsuitable ratchet strap to lower a 100kg steel beam, causing it to fall and strike the worker. The HSE investigation found that the dismantling work was not properly planned or carried out safely. The director, Neil Munn, who made the decision to use the inadequate equipment, received a community order with 75 hours of unpaid work.
These cases serve as a stark reminder that employers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure a safe working environment for all their employees. Failures in planning, risk assessment, and implementing appropriate control measures can lead to severe consequences, including significant fines and life-altering injuries for workers.
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