Wood Manufacturer Fined Over £1 Million After Two Workers Injured

A multinational wood-based product manufacturer, West Fraser (Europe) Ltd, has been fined more than £1 million following two serious workplace incidents at its Cowie plant in 2020. The company, formerly known as Norbord, pleaded guilty to multiple health and safety breaches related to both incidents, which occurred within six months of each other.

First Incident: Worker Entangled in Machinery

In January 2020, Sean Gallagher, a 29-year-old utility operator, suffered severe injuries after his leg became trapped in the moving parts of a storage bunker at the plant’s biomass facility.

Gallagher initially followed company procedures when he entered the bunker to inspect a fault. However, later in his shift, he returned to the bunker without isolating the power. His leg became entangled in the machinery, and he had to use his phone to call for help.

He was eventually freed and taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with compound fractures to his tibia and fibula.

Following the incident, the company implemented a new safety measure by installing a mesh guard across the bunker hatch. This guard is now padlocked and can only be unlocked by a supervisor after the system has been properly isolated.

Second Incident: Scaffolder Falls Over 13 Feet

Just six months later, in July 2020, scaffolder David McMillan, 39, fell more than 13 feet from a rooftop gantry after a rusted plate gave way beneath him. McMillan suffered multiple fractures, including to his neck and ankle, and spent 20 days in the hospital.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that the company had no maintenance schedule or system of checks for the gantry structure. Inspectors found that the steel flooring was corroded, and some welds holding the plates in place were near failure. Following the incident, the gantry was immediately placed out of bounds before being dismantled and permanently removed.

Company Fined for Health and Safety Breaches

As a result of these incidents, West Fraser (Europe) Ltd faced significant legal consequences:

• For the first incident, the company admitted to breaching Regulations 11(1) and (2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £28,000 at Stirling Sheriff Court on 17 February 2025.
• For the second incident, the company pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 4(2) and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They received a much steeper fine of £1,040,000 at the same court hearing.

Repeated Safety Failures

This is not the first time the company has faced scrutiny over workplace safety. In 2022, West Fraser (Europe) Ltd was fined over £2 million after an employee suffered fatal burns at the same facility.

Lessons for Employers

These incidents highlight the severe consequences of failing to implement and maintain proper health and safety measures. Regular inspections, effective training, and robust maintenance schedules are essential in preventing workplace injuries and fatalities.

At Compass HSC, we provide expert guidance to ensure your business meets health and safety compliance standards, reducing risk and protecting workers. Contact us today for professional support in workplace safety management.