Why PUWER Inspections Matter for Businesses in Immingham & Stallingborough

Immingham is a port town in North East Lincolnshire, located on the south bank of the Humber Estuary. It is home to the Port of Immingham, the largest port by tonnage in the UK, handling a significant share of the nation’s energy, automotive, and bulk cargo imports and exports. The port is a key asset in the region’s economy, serving as a gateway for international trade and logistics. As such, Immingham has developed into a major hub for freight, warehousing, transport services, and marine logistics, supporting thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly.

The surrounding area of Immingham is heavily industrialised and plays a vital role in the UK’s energy and petrochemical sectors. Major companies operate refineries, chemical plants, and storage facilities near the port, including operators in oil refining, biofuels, and industrial gases. The Humber Refinery, located nearby, is one of the most complex in Europe. Additionally, the area is increasingly seeing investment in decarbonisation initiatives, hydrogen production, and carbon capture technologies, as part of the Humber’s transition to a net-zero industrial cluster.

Stallingborough, located just a few miles from Immingham, is another key industrial area within the South Humber Bank. It hosts a number of business parks and industrial estates, including the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) sites, which have been developed to attract investment in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and green energy technologies. The area is home to several large-scale manufacturers, including those in chemicals, plastics, automotive components, and renewables. With excellent road, rail, and port access, Stallingborough is strategically positioned for continued industrial growth, and plays a central role in the region’s future as a hub for clean industry and sustainable development.

Here are some of the closest settlements around Immingham:

1. Habrough
2. East Halton
3. North Killingholme
4. South Killingholme
5. Stallingborough
6. Brocklesby
7. Grimsby

Immingham

Immingham is a major port town on the Humber Estuary. The Port of Immingham handles a wide range of cargo including bulk freight, liquid bulk, and vehicle imports/exports. There is strong employment in logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, and port operations. The town also benefits from the Humber Freeport, supporting shipping, customs, and industrial investment.

Habrough

Habrough is a small rural village with a mostly residential and agricultural character. There is no large-scale industry in the village itself, although many residents work in nearby industrial areas such as Immingham and the Humber Bank.

East Halton

East Halton is a small rural village with agriculture as its main land use. It has local amenities such as a shop, pub and school, but no major industry within the village itself. Its location near the Humber means many residents commute to industrial zones.

North Killingholme

North Killingholme has a major industrial presence. About half the land is used for industrial or logistics purposes. The parish includes part of the Lindsey Oil Refinery and the Humber Sea Terminal. There is also an industrial estate around the old airfield.

South Killingholme

South Killingholme is heavily industrialised. It contains or borders major sites such as the Humber Refinery and part of the Lindsey Oil Refinery. Immingham Power Station and petroleum storage facilities are also located nearby. The area includes energy infrastructure, refineries and transport-related industry.

Stallingborough

Stallingborough contains a large industrial estate. Key facilities include chemical plants such as the Cristal (formerly Millennium Inorganic Chemicals) plant and the Synthomer site. The South Humber Bank gas-fired power station is also nearby. Agriculture still occupies surrounding land.

Brocklesby

Brocklesby is a very small and quiet rural village with no significant industrial development. It is mainly agricultural land with historic estate areas.

Grimsby

Grimsby is known for its fishing heritage and today is one of the largest seafood processing centres in northern Europe. It has hundreds of food-related companies, along with strong logistics and cold-storage industries. In recent years it has also become an important hub for offshore wind support and renewable energy operations.

Immingham is surrounded by towns and villages whose development has been closely linked to port activity, shipping, and heavy industry. Nearby settlements such as Habrough, Stallingborough, and North Killingholme grew as small rural communities before expanding with the development of Immingham Dock in the early 20th century. The dock, constructed to handle large-scale cargo, transformed the area into a centre for maritime trade and industry.

Smaller villages including South Killingholme, Ulceby, and Wootton combined traditional agriculture with employment in port-related industries. Shipbuilding, cargo handling, and later petrochemical and energy industries became important sources of work. The railways and roads linking Immingham to Grimsby, Hull, and other industrial centres were crucial in transporting goods, especially coal, oil, and steel.

In recent decades, industry around Immingham has diversified further. The port remains a major hub for bulk cargo, while energy production, logistics, and manufacturing now provide significant employment. The surrounding towns and villages continue to reflect the area’s maritime and industrial heritage, with communities shaped by both the port and traditional rural life.

For these areas, businesses and industries, staying compliant with the Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 is not just a legal requirement—it’s also about safeguarding your employees, protecting your business reputation, and ensuring your equipment remains safe and reliable.

Legal Requirements Under PUWER 1998

PUWER regulations place strict duties on business owners and equipment operators. Any business in Immingham & Stallingborough that owns or operates work equipment must ensure that:

• Work equipment is safe to use.

• Examinations and maintenance are carried out at regular intervals.

• Inspections are conducted by a competent person.

Failure to comply can lead to heavy fines, prosecution, and serious safety risks.

Protecting Your Workforce and Your Business

At SEIS, we know that every business in Immingham & Stallingborough – whether in heavy industry, healthcare, education, or automotive—depends on reliable, safe equipment. Regular PUWER inspections reduce the risk of accidents, protect your workforce, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations. Compliance not only keeps you legal, but also demonstrates a strong commitment to employee safety.