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HSE Press Release E157:02 - 7 August 2002

Textiles firm fined £4,000 after hand injury in HSE prosecution

The dangers of carding machines in the textiles industry were highlighted in a court case which resulted in a firm being fined £4,000 at Huddersfield Magistrates' Court on 8 July following a prosecution by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).

Westwood Yarns Ltd of Washpit Mills, Dunford Road, Holmfirth, Huddersfield was also ordered to pay £799 costs. The company pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSW Act) 1974.

The investigation followed an accident to an employee who had gone into the pit of a carding machine, while it was still in operation, trying to retrieve a fallen end. He trapped his hand in the condenser. Since the employee had shut the safety-interlocked door behind him on entering the pit, he could not be rescued until the time delay on the safety interlock released the door lock.

In May last year, the company was visited by an inspector who referred it to industry guidance on the safety of carding machines.

The company had replied in writing to say that it was conscious of the dangers of carding machines and had an excellent safety record. A week later, employee Robert Napthine broke his finger in the accident.

Westwood Yarns managing director Brian Priest told the court:

"We have to admit we have been woefully negligent but genuinely thought at the time we had a good system."

HSE's prosecuting inspector, Rachel Parkinson, told the court that carding machines were extremely dangerous and had been the source of many accidents in the textiles industry over the years.

After the case, Mrs Parkinson said:

"This company was aware of the dangers of carding machines and had done what they thought was best to reduce the risk of accidents. However, in making this decision, they had failed to take on board the industry guidance which represents the considered opinion of textile employers, trade unions and HSE, on how best to safeguard carding machines. If they had followed this, for instance by fitting limited inching devices, then this accident would probably not have happened."

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the HSW Act states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees".

2. The Maximum fine in a Magistrates' Court for this offence is £20,000.

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