Peterlee firm fined after worker's hand severed

Date:

19 July 2010

Release No:

NE/197/10

A court has heard how a worker had his hand torn off in an incident while working for a Peterlee company.

Details of how the employee of Conder Solutions Limited lost his hand while working on a metalworking lathe at the firm's premises at the town's South West Industrial Estate were heard at Peterlees Magistrates' Court.

Conder Solutions Limited, of Whitehouse Way, was fined £15,000 and also ordered to pay £2,759 in costs after pleading guilty to a health and safety offence on Friday (16 July).

During the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution the court was told that on 3 June 2009, the 55-year-old employee was polishing a rotating metal shaft on a metalworking lathe with a strip of emery cloth.

His right hand came into contact with the lathe's rotating shaft and cutting tool, resulting in his hand being ripped off. The employee was wearing gloves and holding a strip of emery cloth with both hands at the time of the accident, which is contrary to guidance contained in HSE Engineering Information Sheet no2 - 'Accidents at metalworking lathes with emery cloth'.

Surgeons were able to re-attach the hand but despite undergoing five operations, the worker still has no feeling in the hand and is unable to use it. He was in hospital for more than five weeks and has been unable to return to work.

After the case, HSE Inspector Cain Mitchell, said:

"This employee suffered an extremely painful and possibly life-changing injury because Conder Solutions Limited failed to take measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of the lathe and to ensure a safe system of work was being used.

"This is the third incident of this kind in the North East in the last 12 months. Employers need to ensure that machines are suitable for the task. Emery cloth should only be used on a metalworking lathe if appropriate safeguards are in place for operators, following a suitable and sufficient risk assessment."

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 Cain Mitchell is available for Interviews upon request.
3. Conder Solutions Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 (1) (a) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, which 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"
4. The court also ordered Conder Solutions Limited to pay a separate [£15] victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.
5. Guidance on 'accidents at metalworking lathes with emery cloth' is contained in HSE Engineering Information Sheet No 2, available from HSE website.
6. More general information can be found on the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/engineering/index.htm

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