Follow correct safety procedures when operating machinery and drills - warns HSE

Date:

14 July 2009

Release No:

HSE/WM/273/2009

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers and their staff to be mindful of following the correct safety procedures when operating machinery and drills, following the prosecution of a Black Country firm.

On 25 June 2008, an employee at Stoke Forgings Dudley Ltd broke his wrist and thumb, dislocated a shoulder, required an extensive skin graft on his forearm, and also damaged nerves and tendons in his forearm after becoming entangled in machinery. The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £4,103 costs at Dudley Magistrates Court on 14 July.

The company, which is based at Cochrane Road, Dudley, pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and a breach of Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The court heard how the injured party was working on a 6-Spindle Drill when he became entangled in a neighbouring drill, after his clothing got caught up in the moving parts.

Prosecuting, HSE inspector Sarah Palfreyman said:

"The worker should have been protected by fixed guards around the dangerous parts of the machinery and he was lucky to have escaped with the injuries he has. Drill-related injuries are still all too frequent and companies need to ensure proper risk assessments are carried out on machinery. In this case, if a suitable assessment had been undertaken, the need for an adequate guard would have been identified and the chance of an incident occurring would have been reduced, if not eliminated.

"HSE publishes Approved Codes of Practice, guidance and information leaflets with practical advice on machinery guarding - so there is no excuse for duty holders who don't control risks and protect their employees." 

Note to editors

1. Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc 1974 states: 'It is an offence for a person to contravene any health and safety regulations ... or any requirement or prohibition imposed under any such regulations (including any requirement or prohibition to which he is subject by virtue of the terms of or any condition or restriction attached to any licence, approval, exemption or other authority issued, given or granted under the regulations.'
2. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work
3. Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires that every employer shall ensure that measures are taken which are effective to prevent access to any dangerous part or rotating stock-bar.

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