Prosecutions

The worker’s left hand was amputated when the top pressing tool of a hydraulic press brake he was operating came down on his wrist. He worked on a casual basis for the company and was asked to come in on a Saturday because the company was busy.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the press brake, used to bend sheet metal, was fitted with an electronic motion guard to stop the machine moving if a part of a person entered the danger zone. However when the worker reached into the machine to reposition a part, it had failed to operate and stop the movement of the tool.

Halifax Magistrates' Court heard this was the first time he had worked on the machine and had been given less than ten minutes' instruction on its operation.

A HSE inspector commented:

"A young man has had his life changed forever by a terrible, avoidable accident.

"The dangers of working with press brakes are well known in the industry and there have been many instances of workers being seriously injured. That's why these machines are fitted with guards to prevent access to the danger zone. In this case, the company's failure to ensure these guards were effective had tragic consequences.

"Contact with moving machinery is one of the main causes of fatal injuries to workers and the third highest cause of major injuries. I hope this serves as a reminder to employers of the importance of safeguarding their employees."

The company admitted breaching Regulation 11(b) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 by failing to ensure the machine was adequately guarded.

The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs.