Midlands firm fined £750k after worker killed in horrific machine incidentThe 54-year-old suffered 'catastrophic injuries' at his place of workView 2 Images Nick Hardiman died following an incident at his workplaceA Midlands firm has been fined £750,000 after a worker was killed in an 'entirely preventable incident'. Nick Hardiman was working as a machinist at Halesowen's Somers Forge Limited when he became entangled in a 20-metre long lathe. Mr Hardiman, from Kidderminster, had been using handheld emery cloth to finish a rotating component which should never be done with such equipment. Somers Forge Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. In a statement, HSE Inspector Sophie Neale added: "This was an entirely preventable incident which has had tragic consequences.

Source: Daily Mirror February 20, 2026 11:55 UTC