Company fined after two workers suffer hand injuries

Two workers at the same company suffered serious hand injuries just six days apart leading to prosecution - 2nd March 2009

 

A company has been fined after two workers suffered hand injuries at work within six days of one another.

The first accident at work happened when a trainee was operating a laminating machine and his hand became trapped in an unguarded part of the machine; the skin on his hand was pulled causing serious injury.

The second employee suffered his workplace injury when his hand was caught in a roller press which did not have adequate guards on; it resulted in the end of his right thumb being lost.

ABG Ltd of Holmfirth pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations at Huddersfield Magistrates Court and were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,633.

It is an employer’s duty by law to ensure the correct risk assessment has been carried out and any control measures needed are put in place, which includes any personal protective equipment, machine guards and safe systems of work.

A Health and Safety Executive Inspector commented: "Both these incidents were avoidable. Had the equipment been properly maintained and appropriate safeguards been put in place neither of these workers would have been injured."