HSE warns employers to safeguard employees after worker's little finger is amputated

HSE/WM/130/2009 30 April 2009

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers to ensure they have adequate safeguards in place to prevent access to dangerous parts of their machinery. This warning follows HSE's prosecution of Sunrise Medical Ltd of High Street, Wollaston, Stourbridge, after an employee's little finger was amputated in the unguarded rotating part of a pedestal drill.

Sunrise Medical Ltd was fined a total of £500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,287.76 at Halesowen Magistrates' Court (on 30th April, 2009) after the company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation. 

HSE brought a charge against the company under Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 following its investigation into the incident that occurred, on 2nd June 2008 at the company's premises.

An employee was using the machine to de-burr holes in part of a wheelchair frame when his cotton glove got caught in the unguarded rotating de-burring tool on one of the company's pedestal drills.

Sunrise Medical failed to ensure that effective measures were taken in order to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery during the de-burring task.

Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Jenny Skeldon said:

"The dangers of using machines without suitable safeguards are well known and long-established. Even in companies that generally have a responsible attitude to health and safety, serious injuries such as amputation can easily result when limbs, or parts of limbs, become entangled in rotating parts of machinery.

"It is important for companies to ensure that they have fully considered all the risks associated with the tasks carried out at machinery. This will allow them to identify the most appropriate and effective control measures in order to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.'"

HSE publishes Approved Codes of Practice, guidance and information leaflets to give practical advice on machinery guarding. There is no excuse for duty holders failing to control risks and protect employees. 

Notes to editors

1. Regulation 11 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states: "Every employer shall ensure that measures are taken which are effective - (a) to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery or to any rotating stock-bar; or (b) to stop the movement of any dangerous part of machinery or rotating stock-bar before any part of a person enters a danger zone."
   
   Regulation 11(2) states: "measures required by paragraph (1) shall consist of - 
   1. the provision of fixed guards enclosing every dangerous part or rotating stock-bar where and to the extent that it is practicable to do so, but where or to the extent that it is not, then
   2. the provision of other guards or protection devices where and to the extent that it is practicable to do so, but where or to the extent that it is not, then
   3. the provision of jigs, holders, push-sticks or similar protection appliances used in conjunction with the machinery where and to the extent that it is practicable to do so, but where or to the extent that it is not, then
   4. the provision of information, instruction, training and supervision."
2. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance 'Safe Use of Work Equipment - Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998' ISBN 978-0-7176-6295-1 obtainable from HSE Books: http://books.hse.gov.uk/
3. Further information on risk assessments can be found on HSE's website at www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index/htm

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR West Midlands.