Burnley tool manufacturer fined after worker loses finger

Date:

6 May 2010

Release No:

HSE/NW/011CMA

A Burnley tool manufacturer has been fined £1,000 after one of its workers lost a finger when it became trapped in machinery.

C.M.A Tools (Burnley) Ltd, of Westgate in the town, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at its factory at Belle Vue Mill on 1 April 2009.

Reedley Magistrates' Court heard that Paul Whittaker, 30 from Burnley, was using a piece of emery cloth to reduce the size of a metal component on a metalworking lathe.

The cloth became trapped by the rotating mechanism, pulling in his right hand. Mr Whittaker was wearing a glove at the time which pulled his hand further into the machinery.

The glove Mr Whittaker was wearing when he was injured

Reedley Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Whittaker had not received training on how to operate the machine safely, or on the dangers of using emery cloths on metalworking lathes.

HSE Inspector Imran Siddiqui said:

"Paul Whittaker has been unable to return to work and his injury has significantly affected his ability to grip and lift with his right hand. Sadly injuries like the one he suffered are all too common.

"A significant proportion of incidents at lathes are caused by emery clothes being used in an unsafe way. If Mr Whittaker had been warned against using a piece of emery cloth while he worked on the lathe, he would not have lost his finger."

The HSE investigation found that the company had failed to adequately assess the risks of using emery cloths on rotating mechanisms, and had not implemented a safe system of work to control the risks.

The metalworking lathe which injured Mr Whittaker

CMA Tools pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of its employees. The company was ordered to pay costs of £1,000 in addition to the fine on 6 May 2010.

Imran Siddiqui added:

"CMA Tools should have provided a safe system of work and the appropriate training for Mr Whittaker. Workers should have been instructed to use a suitable tool to handle emery cloth so that their hands could not become trapped.

"This incident is also a reminder that gloves should not be worn when working with rotating parts. I hope manufacturers learn lessons from this case so that no more workers suffer permanent injuries in the future."

There were 32 deaths and more than 22,400 serious injuries in the manufacturing sector in Great Britain last year. Information on improving safety is available at www.hse.gov.uk/manufacturing

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. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 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."

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