Norwich firm in court after employee loses finger
WS Lusher & Son Ltd has been fined after one of its employees’ fingers was severed by a poorly guarded machine.
What happened?
The employee was using a vertical spindle moulding machine to cut a piece of wood, when the cutter hit his right hand and severed his little finger.
An investigation found that the accident could have easily been prevented if better guarding had been in place.
Additionally, the court heard that the firm had also failed to ensure that satisfactory management and supervision of the machine was being carried out.
What was the outcome?
The Norwich-based firm pleaded guilty to a breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £4,750 in costs.
Malcolm Crowther, an inspector for the HSE, said:
“The worker suffered a painful and needless injury that could easily have been
avoided had there been proper safeguards and management supervision
of the way work was being carried out on this machine.
“It is vital that operatives of such machines are properly trained and
adequately supervised to ensure safe systems of work are used.
WS Lusher & Son failed in their duty of care, despite
there being industry training available from
a number of providers.”
If you have been affected by an accident at work, and you would like expert advice, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email
Source: View article
