Company fined after worker's hand crushed

A Wellingborough firm has been fined for safety breaches after a worker’s hand was crushed in an unguarded laminating machine.

Michael Taylor, 29, of Wellingborough, suffered serious injuries when his right hand and forearm were drawn into gluing rollers of the machine. Mr Taylor has had four operations and extensive physiotherapy but it is unlikely he will ever regain full movement in his hand.

The incident, on 20 January 2012, at The Paper Pallet Company Ltd was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which today prosecuted the company at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that The Paper Pallet Company Ltd, which uses recycled paper to make pallets, failed to ensure a honeycomb laminating machine was guarded and that staff were adequately trained and supervised in order to use it safely.

HSE found several failings. Mr Taylor was inadequately supervised and the machinery was unguarded at several points, not just where the incident occurred. The guarding over the gears and chains allowed access to dangerous moving parts, and some of the emergency stops did not work properly.

In addition the company had not carried out a risk assessment on the machine. This meant there was no safe system of work for cleaning the gluing rollers or for the operation, use and maintenance of the line.

Ros Stacey – UK Sales Director for CRS says “Don’t let this happen to your organisation ensure your workforce is fully trained and risk assessments  are carried out regularly. IOSH Working Safely, IOSH Managing Safely and NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety contact us for more information 01283 509175