Cheshire Firm Fined after Worker Severs Hand

A home brewing kit manufacturer based in Ellesmere Port has been fined following an incident in which an employee’s right hand was severed at work.

Incident

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how on 21 October 2014, an employee of SPL International Ltd was asked to clean a horizontal cantilever mixer. The worker had undertaken this task previously and after turning the mixer off at the mains, he cleaned and dried the blender as was asked.

However, after he had turned the power back on, the employee noticed that water was dripping from the rim of the outlet hole. The worker placed his right hand into the access hole whilst he was attempting to dry the rim, and his hand came into contact the blades of the mixer.

HSE Investigation & Sentencing

An investigation into the incident at Pool Hall Industrial estate by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no risk assessment had been carried out for the process of cleaning the blender.

After pleading guilty to a breach of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, SPL International Ltd, of Poole Hall Industrial Estate, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £7,004.

HSE Inspector Jane Carroll said after the hearing:

“This case is a stark reminder of the consequences of a failure to adequately guard machinery and implement safe systems of work for cleaning and maintenance activities.”

Accident at work – expert advice

We are personal injury claims experts – our specialist accident claims solicitors are here to provide you with on-going valuable support.

If you have been injured in the workplace and you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6 888 or email for a FREE initial consultation.

Source: Health & Safety Executive