Serious safety failings lead to £56k fine for cosmetics firm

Serious electrical safety failings have seen a cosmetics firm in Yorkshire fined more than £50,000.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) turned up at Sabel Cosmetics Limited for an unannounced inspection on 5 July 2022. Visiting the company’s Pellon Lane premises in Halifax, HSE inspectors discovered serious shortcomings in their electrical safety management.

Inadequate construction and maintenance of the electrical system posed serious and immediate risks of electric shock and electrocution to workers. This stemmed from a systemic failure with Sabel Cosmetics to address electrical risks.

HSE found that workers were at risk of coming into direct contact with exposed live parts on electrical equipment and machinery on site. The company had allowed these breaches to continue over a long period of time.

Appearing at Leeds Magistrates Court on 10 October 2024, Sabel Cosmetics Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The company was fined £56,695 and ordered to pay £5,949 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Jones said:

“This case shows the importance of HSE inspections to help ensure health and safety risks are being managed effectively and protect people at work.

“It is essential that electrical wiring installations and electrical equipment are constructed and maintained in a safe condition to prevent injuries or even worse, death.

“In this case, simple inexpensive steps could have been taken to remedy the most serious defects, instead the company’s inaction has resulted in more than £60,000 in fines and costs.”

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