Engineering Company Receives £80,000 Fine After Fatal Workplace Crushing Incident

An engineering firm has been issued an £80,000 fine following the death of an employee who was crushed by machinery at his workplace. Connor Borthwick, 22, became trapped beneath a large cutting machine that had become unstable at Partwell Special Steels Limited in Blackburn on 25 November 2021. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stated that his death could have been prevented if the company had conducted appropriate assessments of the associated risks. Mr. Borthwick, from Wigan, was described by his family as “amazing and caring,” and they added that “simple steps” should have been implemented to ensure his safety. An investigation determined that Mr. Borthwick and a colleague were attempting to move the machine across the workshop floor using skates placed underneath it when it lost its balance. The machine was being lowered by a jack onto one of the skates, and as it destabilized, it toppled backward onto Mr. Borthwick, pinning him underneath and causing fatal injuries. Speaking on behalf of the family, his sister Emily referred to him as her “amazing, caring, loving and funny little brother.” She stated, “Everyone loved Connor.” Emily continued, “He was a good soul, and this was evident from the more than 700 people who came to his funeral to pay their respects and share their personal accounts of how Connor had touched their lives.” She concluded, “Some simple steps should have been taken and weren’t, if they were Connor would be with us today.” The HSE reported that Partwell Special Steels Limited had not carried out an assessment of the risks involved in moving the machine, and that the task had not been adequately planned, nor had a safe system of work been provided to the employees. It also found that neither employee had received suitable and sufficient training. The HSE further indicated that a proper and adequate assessment of the work equipment provided would have shown that the skates used were unsuitable for the task. The company pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £6,713 in costs at a hearing held at Preston Magistrates’ Court. HSE Inspector Anthony Banks commented: “This company’s failures resulted in the death of a much-loved young man.” He added, “Those in control of work activities, including the movement of heavy machinery from one part of a site to another, need to assess the risks of that work, and plan a safe way to undertake it.” Banks concluded, “This tragic incident could have easily been avoided with the right controls in place.” A spokeswoman for Partwell Special Steels Limited conveyed that their thoughts and prayers were with Mr. Borthwick’s family and that the firm was “devastated by his loss.” She stated that nothing of this nature had ever occurred before and that the firm had “made improvements” and was “committed to ensuring it does not happen again.” She added, “Connor was a much-loved and respected member of our team and is greatly missed.” The spokeswoman continued, “His sense of humour and hilarious anecdotes always brought a smile to our faces.” She also stated, “As a small family business, we care deeply about the health and safety of all our staff and continue to feel his absence.” She further mentioned that staff would “continue to celebrate his life by raising money for the charities he has chosen.”