WEPA Professional UK Limited Fined Following Workplace Injury at Blackburn Facility

WEPA Professional UK Limited has been fined £65,000 following a serious workplace incident in which an employee sustained significant hand injuries while operating machinery at its Blackburn facility.

The incident occurred on March 31, 2024, at the company’s site on Waterfall Street, where a 24-year-old lead machine operator was attempting to clear a tissue blockage during the manufacturing process. While the machine was being “jogged” to assist in removing the blockage, the worker’s hand became trapped in the rollers, resulting in crushing injuries.

An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that blockages in the machine were a frequent occurrence, reportedly happening multiple times per day. Despite this, the company had not implemented a safe system of work for clearing such blockages.

The investigation also revealed that an existing risk assessment—last reviewed in 2021—had identified the need for formal safe operating procedures to mitigate such risks. However, these measures had not been put into place at the time of the incident.

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive stated that companies must ensure that appropriate safety procedures are implemented and regularly reviewed, particularly where known risks are present in routine operations.

The case highlights the critical importance of robust safety management systems, regular risk assessments, and proper employee training when working with industrial machinery.