Boss fined £20,000 after worker loses foot in shavings machine

Date:

4 June 2010

Release No:

HSE/NW/31Jenkinson

The owner of a Penrith wood processing plant has today been fined £20,000 after a worker had his foot completely severed by a log shavings machine just two weeks into his new job.

Allan Wilson Jenkinson, aged 56, of Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for putting workers at risk. He was also ordered to pay £6,146 in costs.

The machine which injured the worker at A W Jenkinson Forest Products

Penrith Magistrates Court heard that a 24-year-old employee of A W Jenkinson Forest Products in Clifton, owned by Mr Jenkinson, was using a chainsaw to deal with a stuck log in the log box at the end of a conveyor. He lost his balance and his right foot became caught in the 48 razor-sharp revolving blades at the bottom of the log box.

The employee, who was working alone, crawled out of the log shavings box and used a radio to call for help. He had only worked at the firm for 15 days on a temporary contract before the incident occurred on 25 June 2009. He was a keen footballer and sportsman who had an upcoming trial with a local football club.

The HSE investigation concluded that Allan Jenkinson had failed to ensure that safe systems of work associated with the shavings machine were in place. Since the incident, his company has installed fixed guards around the machine to prevent workers from being able to access the conveyors and logs boxes.

Following the case, Faye Wingfield, the investigating HSE inspector, said:

"Life-changing incidents such as this one are easily preventable, and it must be a high priority for employers to ensure that their workers are kept safe from serious injury and death at work.

"This case illustrates the personal consequences suffered by employees when workplace risks are not managed effectively. Employers who operate machinery are required to identify the risks associated with its use and establish what needs to be put in place so that work can be carried out safely. Safe systems of work should be devised and implemented, including the provision of appropriate worker training, supervision and personal protective equipment."

Allan Jenkinson pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

There were 32 deaths and more than 22,000 serious injuries in the manufacturing section in Great Britain last year.

Notes to editors

1. 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."
2. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
3. Further information on improving safety in the manufacturing sector is available at www.hse.gov.uk/manufacturing

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