Firearms distributor GMK fined £800,000 after worker burned disposing pyrotechnics

GMK Limited, one of the UK's leading firearms distributors for sports shooting and law enforcement, disposed of waste pyrotechnic composition inside its production building at Faldingworth, Lincolnshire. On January 10, 2023, a 36-year-old worker and a colleague were using a metal tray designated for destroying excess powders when a quantity of composition contacted the hot tray and ignited unexpectedly; the flash burned her hands, face and legs.

The Health and Safety Executive found GMK had no suitable risk assessment and no safe system of work for the disposal, that it was carried out in an unlicensed part of the building, and that the worker was given no suitable PPE — which, used correctly, could have prevented or significantly reduced her injuries. The company had an established, recognised disposal method; it was not followed that day, and the unapproved tray method had been used informally for years without assessment, controls or oversight.

HSE also found pyrotechnics stored in areas of the production building not licensed for that purpose, breaching the company's explosives licence. GMK, of Fareham, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 7 of the Explosives Regulations 2014, and was fined £800,000 with £10,306 in costs.

£800,000 fine plus £10,306 costs at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on October 2, 2026, after a guilty plea.

The unapproved tray-burning method had been used informally for years, which normalised it outside any assessment or control.

Disposal took place inside the production building, in an area not licensed for explosives work or storage.

No risk assessment or safe system of work existed for the task, and the worker was issued no suitable PPE.

The approved disposal ground and prescribed method existed and were reasonably practicable — which is what made the shortcut prosecutable.

The approved procedure only protects people if it is the one actually used — an informal shortcut practiced for years is the real process.

The fine and costs were imposed at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on October 2, 2026. HSE inspector Philip Smith said the injuries 'could have easily been avoided with the implementation of safe working practices and use of the correct PPE', and hoped the scale of the fine would send a message to industry.