Company fined over death of employee entangled in lathe

On 8 December 2023, a preventable accident killed 54-year-old Nick Hardiman. He worked as a machinist at Somers Forge Limited in Halesowen. Recently, a court fined the company £750,000 for major safety failures.

The Fatal Incident on Prospect Road

Mr. Hardiman used a handheld emery cloth on a rotating lathe component. Suddenly, the machine’s moving parts caught him. This caused catastrophic and fatal injuries. Emergency services arrived quickly but could not save him. Sadly, Mr. Hardiman passed away later that evening.

A Family Left Devastated

The loss has left a profound hole in the lives of Mr. Hardiman’s partner, Melanie, his parents Michael and Doreen, and his four siblings.

“We can’t comprehend how someone can go to work and not come home again,” his siblings shared in a joint statement. Melanie added, “Nick had everything to live for—a loving home and a partner who adored him… We used to have a life; now I just exist.”

HSE Investigation Reveals Systemic Failures

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a deep dive into the company’s operations following the accident. The investigation revealed that Somers Forge Limited failed to:

• Prohibit dangerous practices: The company allowed the use of handheld emery cloth on rotating lathes, a practice HSE explicitly forbids.

• Secure machinery: Management failed to prevent worker access to dangerous moving parts.

• Manage PPE risks: The company did not ensure that workers’ personal protective equipment (PPE) stayed clear of entanglement risks.

• Assess safety: The firm failed to establish a safe operating procedure or conduct a sufficient risk assessment for the lathe.

Furthermore, HSE guidance clearly states that operators should never apply emery cloth by hand to a rotating component, as it creates an extreme risk of the operator being dragged into the “danger zone.”

Tip: Relevant guidance can be found here Using emery cloth on metalworking lathes – HSE

The Legal Verdict and Safety Warnings

On 18 February 2026, Somers Forge Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Consequently, Walsall Magistrates’ Court ordered the company to pay a £750,000 fine and an additional £38,314 in costs.

HSE Inspector Sophie Neale emphasized that this tragedy was “entirely preventable.” She reminded employers that they must implement safe systems of work to ensure that employees are never exposed to foreseeable risks from dangerous machinery.

Safety Aide endeavours to support your business with all aspects of Health and Safety, including thorough Risk Assessments, contact us today to get started:  08000 806 801or email:  info@safetyaide.com