Packaging Company Fined After Worker Suffered Severe Head Injuries In Lifting Incident

Brief Summary

A packaging manufacturer was fined after a worker suffered life changing head injuries when a heavy machine fell while being moved. The Health and Safety Executive found the lifting was not properly planned by a competent person and there was no safe system of work for a non routine task.

What Was The Incident?

On 31 October 2023 a 4.5 ton packaging machine was being relocated at the company East Kilbride site. The worker was part of a team moving the machine from a warehouse to a storage area about 160 metres away. Workers used a forklift, skates and pulling to move the machine, despite the machine sliding off the forks on at least two earlier occasions. The worker was underneath the suspended machine to secure a wheel when it slid from the forks and struck him on the head.

What Was The Outcome?

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8 one a and eight one c of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It was fined £433,333 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32,500 at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 20 January 2026.

What Lessons Can Be Learnt?

Plan non routine heavy lifts properly. Moving a large machine was not regular work at the site, yet the operation was carried out without adequate planning, including the key factors of load weight size centre of gravity and lifting points.

Use a competent person to plan the lifting. The HSE investigation found the lifting operation had not been properly planned by a competent person, showing the importance of ensuring planning capability before work starts.

Implement a safe system of work. There was no safe system of work in place for the move, and the method involved positioning a worker underneath a suspended machine, which left no effective protection when the machine slipped.

Act on evidence the method is failing. The machine had already slid off the forklift forks on at least two occasions before the incident, which should have triggered a pause and a rethink of the lift plan and method.

Ensure lifting operations are properly organised and resourced. Effective planning and organisation must include suitable resources and arrangements so the lifting can be carried out safely, as expected by HSE guidance for planning and organising lifting operations.

HSE Prosecution Link