Electrocution risk at cosmetics firm - inspectors

Sabel cosmetics manufactures hair and beauty products at its site in Halifax

A cosmetics firm has been fined after inspectors found its premises posed "serious risks" of both electric shock and electrocution.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an unannounced inspection at Sabel Cosmetics Limited on Pellon Lane, Halifax, on 5 July 2022.

Inspectors found employees were at risk of coming into contact with exposed live parts on equipment and machinery, with a "systematic failure" within the company to address the highlighted dangers.

At Leeds Magistrates' Court on Thursday, the company was fined £56,695 and was ordered to pay £5,949 in costs after admitting health and safety breaches.

Sabel, which manufactures liquid and powder hair and body products, said it had made "significant improvements" since the inspection.

HSE inspectors found "serious defects" in electrical equipment and machinery

After the court hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Jones said: "It is essential that electrical wiring installations and 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."

A Sabel spokesperson said: "We are a family business and the safety of our workers is our priority.

"We were completing a programme of works when the HSE inspected, but we accept that we had not adequately dealt with the risks."

They added: "We have made significant improvements since then and the electrical installation was approved in July 2023."

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