Halesowen Manufacturing Company Fined £750,000 Following Fatal Workplace Incident
A Black Country business has been ordered to pay a substantial fine of £750,000 after a tragic and entirely preventable incident led to the death of a worker. Somers Forge Limited, based on Prospect Road in Halesowen, faced legal consequences following a devastating accident that claimed the life of machinist Nick Hardiman.
Catastrophic Injuries in Lathe Entanglement
Nick Hardiman, aged 54 and from Kidderminster, suffered catastrophic injuries on December 8, 2023, when he became entangled in a massive 20-metre long lathe while performing his duties. The employee was using handheld emery cloth to finish a rotating component, a practice that should never be undertaken with such equipment due to extreme safety risks.
Mr Hardiman sadly passed away later that same evening, leaving behind a grieving family and community. The incident has been described as entirely preventable by health and safety authorities, highlighting significant failures in workplace safety protocols.
Health and Safety Executive Investigation Findings
An extensive investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive revealed multiple critical safety violations by Somers Forge Limited. The company had failed to implement basic safety measures that could have prevented this tragedy.
The investigation found that the company had neglected to:
- Prohibit the use of handheld emery cloth on lathes, despite clear safety guidance
- Prevent access to dangerous moving parts of the lathe machinery
- Ensure that personal protective equipment worn by workers did not create additional risks of entanglement
- Undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments for the lathe operations
- Establish safe operating procedures for the equipment
HSE guidance explicitly states that applying emery cloth by hand to rotating components is never acceptable, as it creates significant risk of operators becoming entangled or dragged into danger zones.
Legal Proceedings and Company Admission
Somers Forge Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Walsall Magistrates' Court. The proceedings took place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, resulting in the substantial £750,000 fine along with additional costs of £38,314.
HSE Inspector Sophie Neale emphasized the preventable nature of the incident, stating that employers must ensure safe systems of work are in place and that workers are not exposed to foreseeable risks from dangerous machinery. The prosecution was brought forward by HSE enforcement lawyer Chloe Ward and paralegal officer Stephen Grabe.
Family's Heartbreaking Tributes
The emotional impact of this tragedy has been profound for Mr Hardiman's loved ones. His partner Melanie expressed her devastation, describing how their life together has been irrevocably changed.
"Nick had everything to live for - a loving home and a partner who adored him, family and friends, and a fulfilling life ahead of him. We used to have a life; now I just exist," she said. "I will forever miss the sound of his voice, the smell of his aftershave, the feel of his cuddles and kisses, and the times we would spend together."
Mr Hardiman's siblings - Robert, Glenis, Lorraine and David - added their own poignant words: "We can't comprehend how someone can go to work and not come home again. Everyone is absolutely devastated."
His father Michael shared: "We feel very proud when we speak about Nick, but it really hurts to talk. We think about Nick every single day."
Inspector Neale concluded by extending her thoughts to Nick's family and friends, underscoring the human cost of workplace safety failures. This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of proper safety protocols in industrial environments.
