Any workplace accident, whether it’s a near-miss, serious injury, or fatal, underscores the crucial need for robust health and safety practices. A recent fatal incident tragically illustrates the potential consequences when safety measures are neglected.
On 29 May 2020, a 46-year-old employee lost their life after becoming trapped in unguarded moving parts while cleaning a plastic conversion machine. The incident, which caused death by crush asphyxia, highlights the consequences of an inadequate workplace.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the business had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the machine:
- they had not installed appropriate guarding to prevent access to dangerous parts;
- there were no written safe systems of work or isolation procedures in place; additionally
- the company’s own internal health and safety department had identified the lack of risk assessments 18 months prior to the accident. However, no follow-up action was taken to remedy this failing.
These oversights can lead to a wide range of incidents—from near misses and injuries to fatalities. The legal repercussions, as demonstrated in November 2025, Derby Crown Court fined the company £277,500 and ordered them to pay £20,000 in costs, serve as a reminder that employers are ultimately accountable for workplace safety.
However, workplace accidents aren’t limited to fatal outcomes. Every year, thousands of workers across the UK suffer injuries—ranging from minor to life-changing—because safety procedures are not fully observed.
Your rights following a workplace accident
Employers have both legal and moral obligations to protect their workers & uphold safety responsibilities. If you have been affected—whether through fatality in the family, a serious injury, or a debilitating occupational health condition—you may be entitled to:
- Compensation for loss of income and future earnings
- Damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Legal recourse against negligent employers
As personal injury solicitors, we understand the profound effects of workplace accidents. We are committed to helping people seek justice and accountability when employers fall short of their responsibilities.
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Our personal injury team here at Nelsons are committed to supporting victims of workplace accidents and their families, helping them seek justice and holding employers to account. Whether you’ve suffered a minor accident or a life-changing injury, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Holly-Louise Batey is a Paralegal in our Personal Injury team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently research publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact Holly or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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