Suffolk plastics company fined after worker hurt

Date:

6 December 2012

Release No:

HSE-E-108

A Suffolk plastics company has been prosecuted for safety breaches after a worker crushed a finger on a poorly guarded printing machine.

Robert Waters, 62, caught his left hand between two rollers as he was cleaning the machine at Tenza Technologies Limited in Saxmundham on 12 October 2011.

His ring finger was badly injured and he was unable to work for twelve weeks.

Lowestoft Magistrates' Court heard yesterday (6 December) that an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the standard of guarding on the printing machine was poor and wasn't fit for purpose.

It was also poorly maintained, while a risk assessment, training, instruction and supervision at the company were also deemed inadequate.

Tenza Technologies Limited, of Carlton Park Industrial Estate, Saxmundham, was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £3,613 in costs for after admitting breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Ivan Brooke said:

"The incident could have been prevented and a painful hand injury avoided, had Tenza Technologies had more robust systems in place to check the guarding was effective and properly maintained.

"It is essential that all control measures are routinely monitored and assessed to ensure they are fit for purpose. Otherwise employee safety is compromised - as was the case here.

"HSE will not hesitate to prosecute dutyholders who choose to ignore their duty of care and legal responsibilities in this way."

For information and advice on using machinery and maintaining equipment in the workplace visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk

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 2(1) of 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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