Scottish glass bottle manufacturer fined £600,000

A Scottish glass bottle manufacturer has been fined £600,000 after a worker was burnt by molten glass and hot water spilling into his cab in February 2024. An investigation by the HSE established that the protective door had been missing since March 2022.  The Inspector stated “This company’s employees worked in this hazardous environment with a safety critical part of the loader missing for a period of almost two years. Although the protective front door had been removed and reported to the on-site engineer, drivers had continued to work and operate the loader with it missing”. During the two years before the incident other operatives had reported being struck or having footwear burnt by molten glass falling into the cab.