Worker dies after being drawn into rotating machinery, plastic manufacturer fined £330K
An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, has determined that Maynard and Harris Plastics could have prevented the death of a 34-year-old worker. The incident occurred in October 2021 at the company’s facility in Ellough. According to the HSE, Nathan Hook was operating a lathe in the tool room to create a work piece for a machine. The emery cloth he was using became entangled in the workpiece, as did his sweatshirt sleeve. Nathan was drawn into the rotating machinery and suffered fatal head injuries.
During its investigation, the HSE learned that the company, which manufactures plastic products for the food industry, had failed to provide suitable health and safety training regarding the use of emery cloth on lathes. Additionally, Maynard and Harris Plastics did not have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for use of alternative methods.
Ultimately, Maynard and Harris Plastics, of Ellough, Beccles, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. They were fined £330,000 and ordered to pay £4,373 costs at a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on 5 December 2024.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, HSE inspector Natalie Prince said: “Our thoughts remain with Nathan’s family.
He was a young dad who should have returned home safely to them at the end of his working day, but because of this company’s failings, he did not.”
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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