Firm fined after worker's arm trapped in drill

Date:

29 March 2010

Release No:

WM652/09

An engineering company has today been fined after one of its workers was injured when he got his arm trapped in a drilling machine.

Briggs of Burton plc, of Derby Street, Burton-on-Trent, was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,922 in costs at Burton-on-Trent Magistrates' Court today after admitting to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

In March 2009, the employee was using a pillar drill when the left arm of his overalls became entangled around the rotating drill. He became trapped and was unable to reach the off switch, suffering a broken finger and cuts to his arm.

He was only freed after shouting to a colleague who rushed over to turn off the machine and release him from it.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation later revealed there was no guard or emergency stop on the machine.

HSE Inspector Gail Pannell said:

"The dangers of operating these drills without a guard have been well documented for many years. Installing a guard and providing an emergency stop control are two vital safety measures - this company had done neither.

"The employee was very fortunate the drill wasn't operating at a higher speed or his injuries could have been much worse. But they could have been prevented all together had the company complied with its legal obligation by having the necessary equipment installed."

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."

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