Defence firm fined after worker paralysed by bullet
GoogleA defence technology company has been fined £800,000 after an employee was paralysed by a bullet during a test of NATO ammunition.
The incident happened on 25 March 2021 at the Ministry of Defence range in Pendine, Carmarthenshire.
The father-of-two was left paralysed below the shoulders after being hit by a bullet fired from 570 metres (1,870ft) away.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found QinetiQ Limited had failed to perform an adequate risk assessment of the trial.
The now 42-year-old's role had been to check the impact of bullets on a metal target that he was stood in front of at the time.
Employers are required by law to protect both their employees and others from harm.
The Pendine site is operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MoD.
The aircraft engineering company was ordered to pay the fine as well as £8,365 in costs at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday.
HSE principal specialist inspector Stuart Charles said: "His life and those of his wife and two children have been devastated by the severe injuries he has suffered.
"Simple and inexpensive steps could have been taken which would have prevented this incident.
He added: "This case shows employers the importance of continually assessing the way they work and not just accepting historical practices."