Lignacite fined £70,000 for inadequate guarding

Lignacite Limited, a manufacturer of concrete blocks, was fined £82,232 (inc.costs) for failing to maintain the safety enclosure of the cubing area in the block plant.

The circumstances were:

• The HSE paid a visit to the Lignacite factory in April 2018.
• They found a large area of perimeter fencing set up to prevent access to dangerous automated machinery was missing. 
• They also found that other sections of the fencing were in a poor condition and locks at the gated entry points were either broken or left unlocked.
• Further investigation revealed that parts of the perimeter fencing had not been in place since January 2018. 
• The company had also failed to carry out any maintenance necessary to ensure the integrity of the fencing and gates.

The HSE inspector said:
“This was a case of the company failing to ensure the maintenance of the secure and gated entry to access multiple items of dangerous machinery and equipment. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards and this is irrespective of whether injury has arisen.”