Wood Chipper Incident Leads to Health and Safety Fines
Durham County Council was prosecuted for health and safety issues after a man was harmed due to a wood chipper. The worker’s arm was severed because of the machine. He was 25 at the time of the incident in 2009. The worker was cutting bushes back along Atherton Close when his arm was severed. It was due to his sleeve or glove being caught in the machine. Other workers were around and they were able to get the power shut off, but his arm was already removed up to the shoulder.
The young man was treated, but his arm could not be saved. He has been affected both physically and mentally because of the incident. The health and safety audits conducted regarding the incident have shown that the council failed to carry out a proper workstation risk assessment.
It is unsure whether it was the glove or his work vest that was caught in the machine, but it was well documented that such things could be an issue working the wood chipper. Since the council failed to take the vest or gloves into consideration, they will be fined for the incident.
The courts have ordered the council to pay over £8,000 for costs and £13,000 in fines. They were found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Safety and Health Act. Those involved in the incident stated it was a tragic incident, but it could have been avoided.
