Fruit company failed to protect injured worker

Date:

3 May 2012

Release No:

SE/81/12

A horticultural business in Southampton has been prosecuted for safety failings after a worker injured his hand on an unguarded machine.

General labourer Edmund Skweres, 52, suffered a deep cut that required 11 stitches in the incident at A E Roberts (Fruitgrower & Nurseryman) Ltd, on Gravel Hill, Shirrell Heath, on 7 February last year.

Fareham Magistrates' Court heard today (3 May) that he was attempting to clear waste around the jaws of a root packing machine when his right hand was caught between a metal drive wheel and a guide rail.

The machine uses a hydraulic ram to push a moveable jaw against a fixed jaw to compress compost around the bare roots of plants. The drive wheel cut into his hand through his glove and lacerated the skin between his thumb and forefinger. He was off work for a month as a result of the injury.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified that guarding could and should have prevented access to dangerous moving parts on the root packer. A E Roberts operated five similar machines, each lacking guarding in this area.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 for guarding failures, and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Michael Baxter said:

"Mr Skweres suffered a painful and entirely preventable injury for the sake of a simple guard that would have prevented access to the hydraulic drive mechanism.

"This incident highlights the importance of ensuring dangerous moving parts are strictly off limits. Guards are there for a reason, and there is no excuse for compromising safety by failing to fit them."

HSE statistics show that in 2010/11 eight UK workers were killed as a result of incidents involving contact with moving machinery, and more than 1,000 others were seriously injured. Further information on guarding and safe working in the horticulture sector can be found online 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 11 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states: "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."

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