Paper Mill Fined after Worker is Left Disabled

A paper mill based in Halifax has been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker suffered serious crush injuries to his hand.

An employee of Sonoco Cores & Paper Ltd was changing a couch roll on a board machine when it caught and severed his middle finger. The worker later required amputation of both of his index and ring fingers and is now registered as partly disabled.

After pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Sonoco Cores & Paper Ltd of Stainland, Halifa was fined £120,000.00. The company was also ordered to pay total costs of £6,354.00.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector Jackie Ferguson said following the hearing:

“The company failed to provide a safe system of work for changing couch rolls on a board machine. Their risk assessment for this type of work was not suitable or sufficient, it had identified the hazard , yet it did not consider the likelihood or severity of the risk and did not identify appropriate measures to prevent an uncontrolled fall of the machine’s hinged steel arm”

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.

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Source: Health & Safety Executive