HSE WM 243/07 3 October 2007

Man fined for endangering fellow employee

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reminded employees of their duty towards fellow colleagues. The warning follows an HSE prosecution where an employee was fined for endangering a colleague.

Richard Lenton, age 42, of Coventry was (on Monday 1 October) fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of £100 at Coventry Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to breaching Section 7 of the Health and safety at Work etc Act 1974. The case followed an incident that left David Griffiths with spinal and pelvic injuries after he was crushed between two parts of a machine when Lenton set a 1,500 tonne transfer power press into motion.

Mr Griffiths, age 45, of Birmingham, was seriously injured on 15 January 2007 when he was setting up the steel press for a diecast change on a power press in Covpress Ltd of Coventry.

Mr Griffiths was adjusting the suction cups of a steel carrier (manipulator) whilst located in an interlocked, guarded area housing the power press.  The interlocked gates were open to prevent the machine from operating.   Lenton, the press setter, needed to adjust the machine to change the height of the blank sheets feeding the press.  He closed the interlocked gates with Mr Griffiths still in the guarded area.  Shortly afterwards, Lenton pressed a control button to return the manipulator to automatic mode.  The manipulator, carrying a blank steel sheet, moved to a central position trapping Mr Griffiths against the conveyor feeding the blanks into the power press.

Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Pam Folsom said:
“Interlocked guarding had been provided by the company to prevent the machine from operating when the interlocked gates were closed.  However, the gates had been deliberately closed with a man in the danger zone, thus defeating the guarding system.  All operators are trained to operate the presses in a safe manner and are fully conversant with the implications of their actions. In this case a thoughtless moment caused severe spinal injuries to a fellow worker.

Guarding and fencing of automated machinery is a basic requirement and the standards are well known.  Simple checks should be carried out not only to ensure workers are protected from dangerous machinery and that safety features fitted are in good order but also that employees operate equipment safely without endangering others.”

Notes to editors:

• Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: “It shall be the duty of every employee while at work –
  1. to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work; and
  2. as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under and of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.”
• Further information on managing risks in the workplace can be found on HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk/risk/practice.htm

Public enquiries:

Call HSE's InfoLine, Tel: 08701 545500, or write to: HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Media enquiries (Journalists only):

Ray Prichard, Tel: 0121 352 5508.
Or Bob Wade on 0121 352 5525

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HSE information and press releases can be accessed on the Internet:http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Issued on behalf of the HSE by Government News Network.