Recycling firm fined for crush injury

Date:

19 April 2010

Release No:

NE/140/10

A metal recycling firm has been fined £8,000 after a worker's hand was crushed as he attempted to clear a blockage on a magnet conveyor.

European Metal Recycling Limited, of Alexandra Dock 1, Bootle, Merseyside was today also ordered to pay £5,506.50 in costs after pleading guilty to a health and safety offence.

South Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard how on 29 April 2008, employee David Lowery, 49, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, and a colleague were working the company's premises in North West Quay, Tyne Dock, using a machine that separates metal from dirt, eventually recycling the metal.

Both workers were attempting to clear a blockage on a magnetic conveyor that was part of a riddling machine cleaning scrap from mud. The system of work used and the guarding to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machinery was not adequate. The machine was re-started and Mr Lowery's right hand got caught inside.

He suffered crush injuries and was left with four broken fingers and was off work for six weeks before returning on light duties. Mr Lowery still suffers pain in his hand in cold temperatures and has not regained full movement in one of his fingers.

After the case, HSE Inspector Bruno Porter, said:

"David Lowery suffered extremely painful and permanent hand injuries, all because European Metal Recycling failed to install simple, protective guards on the machine and ensure a safe system of work was being used.

"Workers were exposed to the risk of having a limb crushed as they tried to clear blockages on the conveyor. At the same time, there was no system forcing workers to stop the machine to clear blockages. It was only a matter of time before someone became injured."

Notes to editors

1. HSE is Britain's national regulator or workplace safety and health. It aims to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace.
2. HSE Inspector Bruno Porter is available for Interviews upon request.
3. European Metal Recycling Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974, which 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."
4. The court also ordered European Metal Recycling Limited to pay a separate [£15] victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.

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