After the death of an employee aged 34 in a workplace accident, a plastic manufacturing company from Suffolk was fined PS330,000.
Nathan Hook, father of one child, suffered fatal head injuries on 7th October 2021 while operating machinery in Maynard and Harris Plastics premises at Ellough near Beccles.
Hook was operating a lathe in the toolroom during a late-night shift to create a piece of work. The cloth he was using to polish metal by hand became entangled in the rotating workpiece and drew him into it. The sleeve of his sweatshirt also caught and pinched him against the rotating workpiece, resulting in fatal injuries.
A company admits to violating health and safety regulations
A Health and Safety Executive investigation revealed that Maynard and Harris Plastics had failed to provide adequate training on health and safety regarding the use emerycloth on lathes. The company did not conduct a thorough risk assessment in order to find safer alternatives such as using a stick to apply the emery fabric.
Nathan’s mother Jacqueline Castledine said after the hearing: “I am very happy that Nathan has been exonerated. I have mixed emotions.” We want to thank all those who have been supportive of us during this horrible ordeal. There are too many people to name. The HSE should be commended for its thorough investigation and conclusions. “We must try to move on, keeping Nathan with us at all times.”
Maynard and Harris Plastics admitted to violating Section 2(1) Health and Safety at Work etc Act of 1974. Chelmsford Magistrates Court, Chelmsford, imposed on 5 December 2024 a fine of PS330,000 and ordered that the company pay PS4,373 as costs. Nathan Cook and Jon Mack of the HSE Enforcement Department brought the prosecution, while Imogen Isaac, a paralegal officer at HSE, provided support.
Natalie Prince, an HSE inspector, said: “Our thoughts are with Nathan’s parents.” “He was a young father who should have been able to return home safely at the end his working day. But because of this company’s failures, he didn’t.”
