Worker's fingers severed in bubble wrap machine

Date:

20 January 2012

Release No:

COISE/2001

An international manufacturer has been prosecuted after a worker lost three fingers in a bubble wrap making machine at a Buckinghamshire factory.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Sansetsu (U.K) Limited for breaching health and safety regulations on 18 May 2011.

Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court heard that Daniel Winters, 29, from Leighton Buzzard, was cleaning debris from the machine at the factory in Tilbrook in Milton Keynes, when his right hand became caught on an in-running nip and was trapped between two powered rollers. The machine was running and the plastic material inside was at more than 200 degrees centigrade in temperature. As a result, Mr Winters suffered severe injuries - including losing the majority of three fingers, on his right hand. He has returned to work but in a different capacity due to his injury.

The HSE investigation found there was no guarding in place to prevent access to the dangerous parts of the machine and the company was issued with an Improvement Notice. This has now been complied with.

After the hearing, HSE's inspector Karl Howes said:

"Running nips are a common hazard in many industries and all machines should be guarded to prevent human contact with the dangerous parts. When machines are used with very hot plastics, these can be very dangerous.

"Employers using this sort of equipment need to make sure there is adequate guarding and if Sansetsu (U.K) Limited had taken the simple and inexpensive step of installing one, then this incident would never have happened."

Sansetsu (U.K) Limited, of Bradbourne Drive, Tilbrook in Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £7,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,742.

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. Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states that: Every employer shall ensure that measures are taken in accordance with paragraph (2) which are effective (a) to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery or to any rotating stock-bar; or (b)to stop the movement of any dangerous part of machinery or rotating stock-bar before any part of a person enters a danger zone.

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

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