Worcestershire firms fined after man's fingers severed

Date:

15 June 2011

Release No:

WM/446/11

Two Bromsgrove firms have been fined after an employee had a thumb, index finger and most of his middle finger severed in machinery.

Redditch Magistrates' Court heard how on 29 October 2008, an employee of Non-Flam (Sawdust) Co Ltd was instructed to work for a neighbouring firm KSR (UK) Ltd. Both companies manufacture products for absorbing chemical and oil spillages and leaks.

The worker, who does not want to be named, was operating a 'carding' machine, which forces polypropylene fibres into a nylon sock used to absorb chemical and oil spills.

Fibres became attached to the teeth of the machine's rollers and as the employee reached in to remove them, his right hand became trapped in the running nip between the two rotating rollers, sustaining severe injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found there were no measures taken by KSR (UK) Ltd to guard the machine. The company should have followed the long-standing guidance which explains the carding machine should have been guarded by a perimeter fence with interlocked guards to prevent access to the machine while it was running.

The court was told Non-Flam (Sawdust) Co Ltd did not make a risk assessment to identify hazards its employee may be exposed to when working on behalf of KSR (UK) Ltd. Once any potential hazards had been identified by the risk assessment, Non-Flam should have addressed them with adequate safety measures.

Non-Flam (Sawdust) Co Ltd and KSR (UK) Ltd share directors and operate from adjoining premises at Stoney Lane Farm, Stoney Lane, Tardebigge, Bromsgrove.

Non-Flam (Sawdust) Co Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £8,000 costs.

KSR (UK) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £8,000 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Ritchie McCrae said:

"This incident was entirely preventable and could have resulted in the loss of the man's hand.

"The dangers of using machines without suitable guarding are well known and long-established, specifically guidance on the use of carding machines has been available for many years. Yet neither company identified this machine as hazardous and continued to allow employees to operate it. In so doing, they clearly failed to ensure the safety of their employees."

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. 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 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. states: "Every employer shall ensure that measures are taken to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery or to any rotating stock-bar".

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