Company Fined After Worker Injures Finger in Machine
A fruit, nut and seed supplier has been fined following serious injuries sustained by an employee whilst manning a piece of machinery.
On 24th October 2014 the worker was attempting to unclog a blockage in a machine, when her hand came into contact with the rotating blades of a rotary valve. After removing a hose attached to a short length of outlet pipe the employee’s hand touched the blades of the valve, which amputated part of a finger on her right hand.
Whitworths Limited, of Wellington Road, Irthlingborough, Wellingborough, pleaded guilty to an offence under Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998. The company was consequently fined a total of £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,653 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Michelle Morrison said after the hearing:
“Had the company ensured access to the dangerous moving parts of the rotary valve was prevented, by ensuring the length of the pipe complied with British Standards then this young woman would not have lost the top of one of her fingers.”
Injury at Work – Expert Advice
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Source: Health & Safety Executive
