Company fined after man dies in machine incident

Date:

8 September 2011

Release No:

COISE/0809

A Manchester-based company has been fined after a night shift worker died when he was trapped in a machine at a factory in Berkshire.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Duco International Limited for failing to provide a safe system of work which led to a death at a site in Eastbourne Road on the Slough Trading Estate.

Reading Crown Court heard Mitesh Prashar, 24, of Slough, was operating an automatic inspection machine, which quality checks rolls of rubber and cloth printing blanket before sending to customers. The blanket moves through the machine from one reel to another via a photographic unit, checking the fabric for flaws.

Though nobody witnessed the incident, at about 2am on 15 January 2008 colleagues heard Mr Prashar cry out. His body was subsequently found with his left arm, shoulder, head and torso trapped between the rubberised blanket and the roller. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The HSE investigation found the company had not assessed the hazards of using the machine and it had not been checked after modification. Inspectors also found there was no guarding to prevent access to the dangerous parts of the machine and Duco International Ltd had failed to give adequate information, instruction or training to employees using the machine.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Ray Kelly said:

"This needless tragedy is typical of what can happen when health and safety management systems fail. Had the hazards been assessed, the lack of any guarding would have been highlighted, and this death could have been avoided.

"Companies should realise that when there are flagrant breaches of health and safety law HSE will prosecute."

Duco International Limited, of Varn House, Northbank Industrial Park, Irlam, Manchester, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The firm was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £43,352.

Notes to editors

1. 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
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."
3. Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states: "Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work."

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR South East