Firm Fined after Worker Injures Leg
A composite door manufacturer has been prosecuted following an accident at work incident in which an employee suffered serious lacerations and fractures to his leg.
Incident
On 21 January 2016, an employee of Supaglaze Limited trading as Shepley Windows was attempting to dislodge a jam jar from the back end of a CNC Uniteam Esseteam Sprint machine. As he did so, it began to move and his leg became trapped underneath the machinery.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the interlock guard on the machine had not been functioning properly for a number of years and that the safety gate was constantly left open.
HSE Investigation & Sentencing
An investigation into the incident by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors found that there was no safe method in place for workers to access the rear of the CNC Uniteam Esseteam Sprint machine. Furthermore, employees had not received training with regards to accessing the rear of the machine or with regards to the use of the safety gate and guards.
After pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 9 and Regulation 11(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Supaglaze Ltd trading as Shepley Windows, of Outram Road, Dukinfield, Cheshire was fined £30,000. The company was also ordered to pay a total of £1,196.30 in costs.
Lisa Bailey, HSE inspector, said after the hearing:
“Had Supaglaze Ltd checked and monitored the guards on the CNC machine, repaired the defects, and adequately trained their employees then this incident would not have occurred”.
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.
To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Source: Health & Safety Executive
