Factory Services UK Fined £160,000 After Engineer Trapped in Conveyor

HSE Prosecutes Animal-Feed Manufacturer Following Machinery Guarding Failure

A Merseyside animal-feed manufacturer, Factory Services UK Limited, has been fined £160,000 after a maintenance engineer suffered catastrophic, life-changing injuries while working on an unguarded conveyor system. The engineer was working alone when his arm became caught in the moving machinery. Unable to reach a stop mechanism, he was forced to wave at a CCTV camera to attract the attention of colleagues.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and brought charges under health and safety legislation. Factory Services UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaches of duty to ensure the safety of its workers, resulting in the substantial penalty alongside costs.

The Broader Impact on Machinery Standards and Industrial Safety

This prosecution underscores the HSE's continued focus on fixed machinery safety, mechanical guarding, and lone-working protocols. Unguarded moving parts remain one of the primary causes of severe workplace injuries in processing, manufacturing, and industrial facilities across the UK. The significant fine reflects the clear negligence involved in leaving dangerous mechanisms exposed to maintenance staff.

For commercial operators and industrial sites, the ruling highlights the strict legal accountability placed on management to maintain physical interlocks and guarding, regardless of operational deadlines or staff experience levels.

What this means for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit

What does this mean for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit — does it change what they should pay, buy, or watch out for?

While tradespeople purchasing power tools or workshop equipment from merchants like Screwfix or Toolstation are not buying heavy industrial conveyors, this case serves as a vital safety lesson when selecting and operating machinery with exposed drive belts, gears, or blades. When sourcing stationary workshop machinery—such as table saws, thickenessers, or belt sanders—buyers must verify that interlocks, emergency stop switches, and physical guards comply with UKCA standards and are never bypassed for speed.

Subcontractors and maintenance trades working on commercial sites should treat missing machinery guards as an immediate stop-work hazard. Never attempt maintenance on powered gear without verifying physical isolation procedures, and ensure personal safety equipment and machine guarding are fully in place before starting work.

Reported by HSE — original article