Washington firm fined £2,000 after factory worker injured

Date:

5 March 2010

Release No:

NE/075/10

A Washington firm has been fined £2,000 after a worker injured two of his fingers operating dangerous machinery that the company knew was defective.

Tanfield Metal Spinners Limited, of Parsons Industrial Estate, Washington, was also ordered to pay costs of £1,056 at Sunderland Magistrates' Court on Friday (26 February) after pleading guilty to breaching the Power and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The court heard that on 10 September 2008, a worker was resetting the gear cog on the drive machinery of a metal spinning machine. The company had known for some time that the gears had been slipping out of place on regular basis.

The guard, which had been provided to prevent access to the dangerous parts of machinery, had been removed. The worker's gloved hand was drawn into the gears which resulted in amputation of the end one of his fingers and serious injury to another.

After the case, HSE Inspector Dr Dave Shallow, said:

"This company put its workers at risk by expecting them to operate a defective piece of equipment.

"This incident that should never have happened. The company knew there had been problems with the machine's gears and should have taken proper measures to ensure it was maintained.

"They should also have ensure that a guard was in place at all times to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine."

He added:

"The company fully cooperated with HSE during the investigation and has taken steps to improve management of health and safety, including a reviewed of its risk assessment procedures."

Notes to editors

1. HSE is Britain's national regulator for workplace safety and health. It aims to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace
2. Tanfield Metal Spinners Limited pleaded guilty to one offence under Regulation 11 (3)(c) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 in that a guard to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery was not maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
3. The court also ordered Tanfield Metal Spinners Limited to pay a separate [£15] victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

Issued on behalf of the HSE by COI News and PR North East