Photos released from the Health and Safety Executive show the scene after a worker at Dyson narrowly escaped being crushed by a 1.5-tonne machine.

Barry Miles and a colleague were moving the milling machine at the multinational company's headquarters in Malmesbury in 2019 when it fell and knocked him unconscious.

He received a wound to his head and injuries to his shoulder and ribs.

Investigators from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) looked into the incident and said there were "serious and systemic" health and safety failures.

They prosecuted Dyson for failing to discharge general health, safety and welfare duty to an employee, to which the firm pleaded guilty to.

Dyson was fined £1.2 million in a hearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

District Judge Dickens said that it was "only pure chance" that Mr Miles did not suffer serious injuries or was killed.

Two workers were moving the machine when it fell. Photo: HSE

Now, HSE has released photos of the scene after the incident.

Inspector James Hole said: "This incident could have been fatal. Those in control of work have a duty to assess the risks, devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to their workforce.

“Had a suitable safe system of work been in place this incident and the related injuries could have been prevented.”

Commenting after the court hearing, a spokesperson for Dyson said: “The health, safety and well-being of Dyson’s people is our number one priority. Prior to this case, Dyson had no convictions or enforcement history related to health and safety at work.

“We are thankful that the employee was not more seriously hurt and has been able to return to work at Dyson. As an engineering company, we use complex and often heavy equipment and take care to do so safely. We deeply regret that this happened and we accept the court’s decision today.

“We were pleased that in its judgement the court noted our ‘excellent safety record’, our ‘prompt response to this incident and full cooperation at the highest level within the company’ and said that Dyson is an ‘exemplary corporate citizen.”

Dyson had argued to the court last week that there were policies in place, but they were not followed locally.

However, this was rejected by the District Judge.

Dyson pointed out “extensive mitigation”, including prompt response to concerns, immediate changes in policy and training, full co-operation with HSE, an “excellent” health and safety record and no previous health and safety convictions.

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