Steel Firm Fined After Worker’s Arm Crushed | Health & Safety

Steel Firm Fined After Worker’s Arm Crushed

Key Facts: 

• A steel firm have been prosecuted after a worker’s arm was crushed by machinery.
• Failures in machinery guarding, training and risk assessments were identified.
• The firm was fined £10,000, a victim surcharge of £1,000 plus costs of £2,167.

The Case: 

An HSE investigation was launched into the safety practices of a steel firm after a worker’s arm was crushed in machinery. The incident happened on 11 Feb 2014.

The worker was using the machine straighten steel coils and cut them into lengths. After drawing only two lengths, he stopped because the bars were coming out unevenly. Upon investigation, the worker found that one of the meta offcuts positioned to assist in the straightening process had slipped out of position. The worker went to put the displaced metal back in position when his arm

The subsequent HSE investigation found that a suitable risk assessment had not been carried out, and machinery guarding issues had not been identified. Appropriate training had not been provided.

The case was heard at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court in May 2015 where the steel firm pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £10,000, a victim surcharge of £1,000 and costs of £2,167.

What The Law States:

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states:

‘It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.’

Find out more about the safe maintenance of machinery here >> 

Find details of our safety training courses here 

Follow us on twitter: @safety_matters

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can help you find a solution to your safety matters.