Worker killed after being crushed by unguarded machinery at cement bagging plant

A cement company has been fined £1 million after an employee was fatally crushed by a 1.6-tonne concrete counterweight at a cement bagging facility in Gloucestershire.

Martin Bennett, aged 35, was working for Dragon Alfa Cement Limited at its Sharpness site on 4 August 2021 when he was found crushed by a concrete weight used to raise pallets loaded with 25 kg bags of cement.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that a large section of perimeter fencing around the machinery had been routinely removed over a prolonged period. This exposed workers to dangerous moving parts and allowed unrestricted access to an area where there was a risk of serious injury or death.

HSE concluded that the company failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees by not preventing access to dangerous parts of the machinery. Suitable guarding measures were available but had not been maintained.

A devastating loss for Martin’s family

In a victim personal statement, Martin’s wife, Layla, described him as deeply kind and generous, saying he would always put others before himself.

“He was kind, right down to the very bones of him kind. He would give you the shirt off his back, the last pound in his pocket — whatever you needed, it was yours.”

One of Martin’s daughters said that answering the door to police officers who brought the news of her father’s death had such a profound impact that she still feels anxious when answering the door.

“He lived for family life. His three girls were his number one priority.”

Key safety failing

The investigation highlighted that the machinery was left effectively unguarded after the perimeter fencing had been removed as part of routine practice. This allowed access to moving parts, including the concrete counterweight that caused the fatal crushing incident.

HSE guidance states that employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. Wherever possible, this should be achieved through fixed guards.

Unguarded concrete weight

For more information on machinery guarding visit our PUWER safety page

Court outcome

Dragon Alfa Cement Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was fined £1 million and ordered to pay £9,621 in costs at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 21 July 2026.

HSE inspector’s comments

HSE inspector Oliver Guiver said the incident should never have happened and that the company repeatedly failed to ensure the dangerous parts of the machinery were properly guarded.

“Had those measures been in place, Martin would not have died.”

He added that Martin went to work expecting to return home at the end of the day, but because of the company’s failings, he never did.

LESH Comments:

This case is a stark reminder that machinery guarding must never be removed or bypassed unless appropriate controls are in place.

• Employers must ensure dangerous moving parts are effectively guarded.

• Fixed guards should be used wherever possible.

• Temporary removal of guarding must be strictly controlled, authorised, and reinstated immediately after the task.

• Routine unsafe practices can become normalised if not challenged.

This tragic incident highlights the importance of maintaining effective machinery guarding and preventing access to hazardous moving parts at all times.

Is you equipment safe? and is it being used safely? Do you have a PUWER assesment?

LESH Consulting Ltd are based in Nottingham and are experts in machinery safety and general health and safety.