Martin Bennett, a 35-year-old father known for his generosity and kindness, tragically lost his life at work due to preventable safety lapses. On August 4, 2021, while employed at Dragon Alfa Cement Limited’s cement bagging plant in Sharpness, Gloucestershire, he was fatally crushed under a 1.6-tonne concrete weight used to lift pallets of cement bags.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that Martin’s death could have been avoided if the company had adhered to established health and safety regulations. An investigation uncovered that a large section of perimeter fencing around the machinery had been routinely removed for an extended period. This created open access to hazardous moving parts of the equipment, posing a severe risk of injury or death.
In a heartfelt statement, Martin’s wife, Layla, described him as “kind to the very bones,” someone who always put others first. Their daughter also shared how the trauma of receiving the news of her father’s death has left her feeling anxious even when answering the door.
READ MORE: The Storybook Charm of Bradford-on-Avon: Just an Hour from Gloucester
READ MORE: Cheltenham Considers Higher Parking Charges for Larger, Heavier Vehicles
HSE emphasized that employers must implement effective safeguards, such as fixed guards, to prevent employee access to dangerous machinery parts. Dragon Alfa Cement Limited failed to provide such protections, breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
As a result, the company pleaded guilty and was fined £1 million by Bristol Magistrates’ Court on July 21, 2026, along with £9,621 in costs.
HSE inspector Oliver Guiver commented, “Martin Bennett lost his life in an incident that should never have happened. The company repeatedly neglected essential safety measures. Had proper precautions been in place, Martin would have returned home safely.”
The prosecution was led by HSE enforcement lawyer Alan Hughes, supported by paralegal Lynne Thomas and barrister Jemima Lovatt from Cornerstone Barristers.