**Tata Steel Fined £1.5 Million Following Death of Contractor at Port Talbot Plant**
Tata Steel has been handed a £1.5 million fine following the tragic death of contractor Justin Day, aged 44, at its renowned Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales. The sentencing marks a significant moment in a case that has touched the local community and reignited debate over workplace safety in industrial environments.
Mr Day, hailed by his family as a devoted father and a “great character”, was employed by Caerphilly-based Mii Engineering and was undertaking essential maintenance work at the plant on 25th September 2019. The task involved replacing a lift cylinder due to a persistent oil leak—an operation thought to be undertaken on machinery that had been fully isolated from power. However, tragedy struck when a colleague discovered Mr Day slumped beside the equipment. Emergency services were onsite swiftly, but it was too late; Mr Day died at the scene.
Following this devastating incident, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a thorough investigation. At Swansea Crown Court on 31st July 2025, the details of the case were laid bare, prompting the judge to issue a stern penalty. The prosecution, represented by barrister Nuhu Gobir, made clear that Tata Steel had failed to meet adequately recognised industry safety standards and did not implement appropriate risk controls, especially regarding safety guarding around hazardous machinery.
Victim impact statements, read in court, shed light on the extensive emotional distress suffered by Mr Day’s family. His widow, Zoe, recounted the depth of her anguish: “Since losing Justin I am not the same person that I was. Mentally I am lost and don’t know where I am going with life.” She described her late husband as a dedicated family man who worked tirelessly, only for his life—and their shared future—to be abruptly taken away.
Justin Day’s children also provided statements highlighting their enduring pain. His son expressed how the incident had “completely ripped my world apart,” while his daughter spoke of the ongoing trauma, including sleepless nights and overwhelming sadness. These heartfelt testimonies provided a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences such incidents can have beyond the workplace itself.
Tata Steel UK Ltd pleaded guilty to failing in its statutory duty under health and safety laws to protect both employees and outside contractors. The company’s barrister, Dominic Adamson KC, argued that written safety protocols were in place at the time, insisting the firm had demonstrated an ongoing commitment to maintaining safety standards. However, Judge Geraint Walters, referencing the company’s previous health and safety breaches—Tata Steel has been before the courts on 12 occasions since 2011—considered this history while concluding on the penalty.
Handing down the fine, Judge Walters acknowledged that no financial penalty could truly compensate for the suffering Mr Day’s family has endured. He remarked that the tragic loss had left “many people bereft.” Tata Steel was also ordered to pay over £26,000 in legal costs in addition to the seven-figure fine.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Gethyn Jones remarked after the hearing that the fatal accident “could so easily have been prevented,” noting the importance for employers to ensure thorough risk assessments and proper guarding around dangerous machinery. He reiterated that both employees and contractors deserve the highest standard of safety and that lapses in these duties are simply unacceptable.
The verdict and subsequent fine not only serve as a stark warning to other industrial operators about the consequences of inadequately protecting staff and contractors, but also as a solemn reminder of the vital importance of following health and safety basics. In South Wales and beyond, the community continues to mourn the loss of Justin Day—a man remembered for his warmth, joy, and steadfast devotion to his family.
As the region processes the conclusion of this emotional case, eyes now turn to Tata Steel and other major employers to ensure that robust protocols and a renewed commitment to safety are placed at the very heart of their operations. The hope is that such tragedies can be prevented in future, sparing other families similar heartbreak.