Packaging firm fined after worker's fingers severed

Date:

28 September 2010

Release No:

WM237/10

A Telford packaging company was in court following an incident that saw an employee's finger tips sliced off while operating machinery.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Sirane Ltd after worker, Editha Bayliss, had the two digits severed while operating an automatic guillotine.

Telford Magistrates heard that on 6 November 2009 Ms Bayliss was operating a guillotine when she put her hand under the guard of the machine to clear a blockage from the cutting area while the machine was still running.

The cutting blade came down before Ms Bayliss' hand was clear, severing the tips of two of her fingers. The fingers were surgically amputated down to the first joint later in hospital.

After the incident, HSE inspectors served Sirane Ltd with a prohibition notice, which required operation of the machinery to stop immediately until it was made safe.

The firm, based at Stafford Park 6, Telford was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,083 costs after contravening Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

HSE inspector Katharine Walker said:

"This incident was entirely preventable. The company's risk assessment, carried out four months before the incident, had identified the need for improved guarding on this machine.

"However, the company failed to implement this, and knowingly allowed the machine to be used with inadequate safeguards. The poor standard of guarding on this machine led directly to Editha's debilitating injuries."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce 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.
2. Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states: Every employer shall ensure that measures are taken
   1. to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery or to any rotating stock-bar; or
   2. to stop the movement of any dangerous part of machinery or rotating stock-bar before any part of a person enters a danger zone.
3. Visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l22.htm for Approved Code of Practice and Guidance - Safe use of work equipment - Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR (West Midlands)