Firm Fined After Worker Loses Tips of Fingers
A firm that manufactures ducting for the building industry have been prosecuted following an incident in which an employee lost the tips of two fingers.
An employee of Support Systems (Nottingham) was assisting a saw operator to cut ducting with a band saw, when the saw was lowered and slices off two fingers on the worker’s right hand.
An investigation into the incident, which occurred on 4 August 2014, was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Nottingham Magistrates’ Court was told by the HSE that workers operating the saw had removed the guard on numerous occasions for this particular job, as it was causing an obstruction.
The HSE also found that there had been insufficient training, information and supervision which meant that the band saw was used in an unsafe manner, not only on the day of the incident but also in the six weeks leading up to it.
Support Systems (Nottingham) Limited, of Nottingham Road, Attenborough, Nottingham pleaded guilty to an offence under Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). The company was fined a total of £3,500 and ordered to pay £2,336 in costs.
HSE inspector Lindsay Bentley said after the hearing:
“This incident was entirely avoidable, had the defendant ensured that access to dangerous parts was prevented.”
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Source: Health & Safety Executive
