Boy lost his thumb after it became trapped in a farm machine

A teenager lost his thumb after it became trapped in a chain and sprocket on a machine with safety guards removed - 9th February 2009

 

A teenager lost his thumb in an accident at work in a machine which had some of its safety guards removed.

The 16-year-old was operating a machine for the Lumgair Brothers of Gask Farm in Forfar, which was grading potatoes, when a transfer conveyor belt stopped due to there being too much weight on it.

The boy then suffered his workplace injury as he pulled the conveyor belt to get the machine running again, when his glove and hand were dragged in to a chain and sprocket drive which was not protected by its safety guard.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident and found the boys employers had failed in their health and safety duties to provide the correct protection from the machine by not having the safety guard fitted correctly.

The Lumgair Brothers were fined £4,400 after pleading guilty to a breach of health and safety rules and failing to carry out a young persons risk assessment.

A Health and Safety Executive Inspector said: "It is not difficult to imagine the problems this injury might cause a young man throughout his life.

"I would urge all farmers and other business people to check their machinery - ensure all guards are properly fitted and have a system of work to ensure machinery is not operated in an unsafe condition."