Puratos Limited Fined £120,000 Over Unsafe Dust and Manual Handling Practices
Published on 07/21/2026 at 18:18 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A Buckingham-based food manufacturer has been hit with a £120,000 fine after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation uncovered serious safety failures that left workers exposed to hazardous dust and unsafe manual handling conditions. The case serves as a stark warning to UK employers about the legal and financial consequences of neglecting workplace safety obligations.
Dust Control Failures Exposed Workers to Harmful Particles
During an initial inspection on 3 December 2024, HSE officials identified multiple unsafe practices at the Puratos Limited facility. These included dust leaks, the use of compressed air for cleaning, and dry sweeping — all of which contributed to the spread of inhalable particles throughout the workplace.
Follow-up dust monitoring conducted on 18 December 2024 confirmed that workers were being exposed to inhalable dust at levels above the legal limits. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), employers are legally required to prevent or adequately control exposure to substances that can damage health, including flour dust which is a known cause of occupational asthma.
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Manual Handling Risks from Heavy Sacks
The investigation also highlighted significant risks associated with manual handling operations. Inspectors found that employees were required to manually lift 25kg sacks on a daily basis — a practice the HSE identified as a major risk factor for musculoskeletal injury. Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, employers must avoid hazardous manual handling so far as is reasonably practicable, or assess and reduce the risk of injury.
Sentencing and Regulatory Context
On 17 July 2026, Puratos Limited was found in breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, which places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. In addition to the £120,000 fine, Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court ordered the company to pay £6,270 in costs.
The prosecution follows a history of safety concerns at the firm. The HSE noted that Puratos had previously been subject to enforcement action in 2021. The case also comes amid a broader regulatory push in the food industry: since January 2026, the HSE has been running a targeted inspection campaign at large bakeries across the UK. The initiative focuses on common industrial risks, including the management of musculoskeletal disorders and the prevention of respiratory issues caused by flour dust exposure.
With HSE inspections intensifying across the food industry, having your safety documentation in order is more important than ever. A free Health & Safety Toolkit provides risk assessments, checklists, and templates covering key UK regulations including COSHH and manual handling. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
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