Worker loses finger
A woman has lost a finger in an incident involving unguarded machinery at an adhesive tape manufacturing plant in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.
The woman was cleaning the machine when the cloth she was holding became tangled in the machine’s moving parts, pulling her hand into the machine. One of her fingers was badly damaged and required amputation.
Machine guards not fitted
In an investigation led by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court heard that the machinery had not been fitted with a Perspex guard.
The defendant claimed no knowledge of the existence of such guards. However, details on fitting the guards were contained within the machine’s accompanying instruction manual.
Exposure to dangerous machinery – company fined
Technibond Limited was found guilty of breaching the Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £5,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £1,766
HSE Inspector Stephen Faulkner commented:
machinery and in doing so they must consider hardware controls
over information, instruction, training and supervision.
“However, where they do rely on these software controls
they must ensure that they are effective to prevent
anyone being harmed by the machinery.”
Accident at work compensation – expert advice
If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault in the workplace, you could be entitled to personal injury compensation. Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation. Discover today whether you have a claim, speak to one of our friendly advisers on 0800 888 6 888 or email
Source: Health and Safety Executive
