A manufacturing company has been fined after an employee broke his arm while operating machinery at its site in Warwickshire.
The employee, from Rugby, suffered multiple fractures to the ulna and radius bones in his right arm whilst working on 25 November 2022.
The 54-year-old had been clearing debris off the bed of a radial arm drill at the firm’s site in Rugby, when his right hand became entangled in the machine.
This led the employee sustaining six different bone fractures in his right hand and arm, that required surgery.
He said: “I totally lost my independence for around two months and my wife had to do everything.
“I don’t know what the future holds. I work a manual job with my hands, I don’t know how long I can continue to do this for.
“I still have trouble using my hands and fingers, and sometimes I wake up and they are stiff, numb, and achy.”
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the Employer had failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk associated with this work activity, and subsequently failed to implement a safe system of work.
HSE guidance can be found at: Health and safety in engineering workshops – HSG129 (hse.gov.uk).
The Company based in Rugby, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,616 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 19 September 2024.
HSE inspector said: “This prosecution highlights how employers should adequately assess the risks and then ensure they have a safe system of work in place for the operation of all machinery.”
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers and supported by a paralegal officer.
SOURCE: HSE
If you need any assistance with completing PUWER Assessments for your machines and equipment, completing adequate risk assessments, method statements or looking to complete PUWER (machinery) training, MBO Safety Services can assist. For more information, please contact our friendly team members by email: info@mbo.ltd.
For a list of our courses please see the following link for further details. MBO Courses
At MBO Safety Services Ltd, we can offer risk assessments and train team members in the relevant areas of health and safety necessary to carry out work responsibly. With our main office in Oswestry, we carry out much of our training here, but we are also able to come to your premises if this is more convenient and carry out inspections for peace of mind. Please feel free to get in touch to find out more, we would be happy to help.