Fakenham-based Nat Pal Limited was visited by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in April 2023. Dust was found scattered across the floor, and the inspection identified failings in the company’s control measures to prevent exposure of their employees to wood dust and enforcement action was taken.
The HSE investigation also identified ongoing failings in the company’s control measures and found that it had failed to take appropriate precautions despite previous enforcement on the same issues dating back to 2015.
Nat Pal Limited of Tattersett Business Park, Fakenham, pleaded guilty to a charge contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974, in that it failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees, as it failed to manage the risks created by operating a wood-working business. The company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,072 at a hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 16th May 2025.
HSE inspector Natalie Prince said after the hearing: “The fine imposed on Nat Pal Limited should underline that HSE take a failure to protect the health of employees extremely seriously.
“To make matters worse, this company had been visited previously and had failed to take steps to protect its workers.
“We will not hesitate to take action against companies which fail to do all they can.”
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