On 8 November 2024, the apprentice was working in a dedicated training workshop, preparing sheet metal for welding practice. This area is specifically designed for first-year apprentices to learn essential fabrication skills before progressing to the main manufacturing floor.

After successfully making several cuts, the apprentice’s final attempt went wrong. His thumb came into contact with the machine’s dangerous moving parts, resulting in injury.

HSE investigation findings

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered a serious issue: a large gap in the guillotine’s bed allowed access to hazardous parts of the machinery. Alarmingly, this risk had not been identified by the company, even after the incident occurred.

The HSE acted quickly, issuing a Prohibition Notice remotely to prevent further use of the machine until safety improvements were made. When inspectors later visited the site, they discovered additional concerns, including:

• Access to live electrical components
• Other unguarded dangerous machinery
• Weak inspection and maintenance systems for workshop equipment

MTL Advanced Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £140,000, along with £5,013 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

Why young workers need extra protection

Katrina Elsey, director and personal injury specialist at Switalskis, commented : “Young people and apprentices are particularly vulnerable in workplace environments. With limited experience, they may not fully recognise hazards or understand the risks involved in certain tasks, especially during their first six months on the job.”

This case is a stark reminder that employers have a legal and moral duty of care to ensure machinery is properly guarded and risks are thoroughly assessed before work begins, particularly where young or inexperienced employees are involved.

Katrina emphasised the importance of proactive health and safety management, adding: “Incidents like this are preventable. Employers must take a proactive approach, especially when training young people, by identifying hazards early and ensuring robust safeguards are always in place.”

Key takeaways for employers

• Always ensure machinery is properly guarded and maintained
• Conduct thorough risk assessments, before and after any incident
• Provide clear training and supervision for apprentices
• Regularly inspect equipment and workshop environments
• Pay extra attention to the needs and vulnerabilities of young workers

Final thoughts

This incident could have been avoided with proper machinery guarding, risk assessment and supervision. It serves as a powerful reminder that workplace safety isn’t just about legal compliance, it’s about preventing serious injury and protecting vulnerable workers, particularly those just starting their careers.

Employers must remain vigilant, ensuring that training environments and equipment are safe, so apprentices can learn, develop skills and progress in their careers without unnecessary risk of injury.