Life changing injuries

A 21-year-old worker has been left with life changing injuries, and the Company has been fined.

Devonshire based textile company Heathcoat Fabrics Limited has been fined after a 21-year old employee suffered life changing injuries (to his hand). In August 2014, AS was preparing a piece of machinery for the next shift. During this operation, his hand was drawn into the rotating rollers. He suffered severe crush injuries to his left hand resulting in partial amputation of four fingers. Exeter Magistrates’ Court was told that the HSE investigation found the company had failed safeguard this dangerous machinery. They had previously provided a guard, but when it broke down they failed to repair it and instead replaced the guard with an emergency stop wire. It remained in that condition for over two years, with the proper guard only being replaced the day after this incident.

The Company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,862.30.

Speaking after the hearing Health & Safety Executive inspector Paul Mannell said: “[AS] has suffered life changing injuries due to the company’s failures. An individual’s health and safety should not be made worse by the work they do.

[AS] has suffered life changing injuries due to the company’s failures. An individual’s health and safety should not be made worse by the work they do.

Duty holders have the responsibility to ensure all dangerous machinery has the appropriate level of safety guarding for employees to be able to operate it.