Summary
On 17 April 2026, Tyco Electronics UK Limited was fined £340,000 and ordered to pay £5,145 in costs following an incident at its Swindon premises that left a worker with life-changing injuries. In March 2023, a 42-year-old employee was cleaning a pellet-manufacturing machine when a door fell, activating a hydraulic ram that trapped his arm. The worker sustained severe damage to his nerves and tendons, requiring three operations to reattach his fingers. He continues to suffer from a permanent loss of sensation and limited movement in his hand.
Analysis
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation identified systemic organisational failures rather than a simple mechanical fault. The company breached Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by failing to implement robust “lock-off” or isolation procedures, which would have ensured the machine was disconnected from power sources during maintenance. Furthermore, the HSE highlighted that the company provided inadequate training, instruction, and supervision for its staff. The substantial fine reflects the severity of the safety breach and serves as a deterrent, emphasising that employers must prioritise rigorous safety protocols and proper staff oversight to prevent foreseeable machinery-related accidents.