Window manufacturer incident necessitates health and safety training
A window manufacturer located in Derbyshire has been fined due to a workplace incident. An employee’s arm was dragged into a machine due to improper guarding. The 29-year-old worker was using a cleaning machine to get the window corners cleaned at Frame Trade when the incident happened. This occurred in 2010, but it has taken this long for the HSE to determine the cause and for the case to enter prosecution. During the health and safety audits, it was determined that the build-up of debris in the machine covered the sensor. The machine did not operate properly. When the worker went to clean the machine out his sleeve was caught. His left forearm suffered from deep lacerations. The incident also damaged two fingers so that he had to take many weeks off work for the tendons to heal. He is now with a different company but able to return to work.
The court listened to the incident of health and safety breaches. They learned that the employer did not follow the duty of care guidelines that state an employer must adequately guard machines around which employees will work. The incident was made worse due to a lack of training of the employee. Employers must make certain all employees are trained properly or have proper supervision. The fine is £10,000 with £6,541 in court costs. The company pled guilty to the charges, lessening the fine. The machine has since been fixed.
