A 22-year-old man from Wigan, Connor Borthwick, tragically lost his life in a workplace accident at Partwell Special Steels in Blackburn. Borthwick, described as a “generous and loving” individual, died after heavy machinery fell on top of him while he was at work. His death, which occurred on November 25, 2021, has led to serious questions about workplace safety and the company’s failure to implement proper procedures.
At the time of the accident, Borthwick and a colleague were moving a large cutting press machine across the workshop floor when it toppled over, trapping him underneath. Despite efforts to move the equipment using skates, the machine became unbalanced and fell on Borthwick, causing “catastrophic” injuries that led to his death.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed multiple safety failures at the company. Partwell Special Steels had not assessed the risks associated with moving such heavy machinery, nor had they provided adequate training or safety protocols for the task. Additionally, the equipment used for the operation, the skates, was deemed unsuitable for the job. As a result, the company pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was fined £80,000, in addition to paying £6,713 in court costs.
Borthwick’s sister, Emily, paid tribute to her brother, describing him as an “amazing, caring, loving and funny” person who was deeply loved by all who knew him. Over 700 people attended his funeral to honor his memory, and Emily expressed the family’s grief over his untimely death. She stressed that Connor’s life had barely begun, and had simple safety measures been followed, he would still be with them today.
In memory of Connor, the family set up a fundraising campaign for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Down’s Syndrome Association, causes that were close to his heart. The campaign has raised over £31,000 in support of these charities.
HSE Inspector Anthony Banks commented on the case, emphasizing the company’s failure to implement proper risk assessments and safety measures, which led to the preventable death of a young man. “This tragic incident could have easily been avoided with the right controls in place,” he said.
Partwell Special Steels expressed their deep regret over the incident, highlighting their commitment to improving safety practices in the wake of the tragedy. A company spokesperson also conveyed their condolences to Borthwick’s family, acknowledging the profound loss felt by everyone at the company.
This case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of workplace safety, particularly when handling heavy machinery, and the need for companies to take all necessary precautions to protect their employees.
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