Stafford firm fined after worker’s arm caught in machine 13 March 2014

Stafford-based ceilings manufacturer CEP Ceiling has been fined £24,000 with £1,194 costs after a worker's arm was caught in an unguarded laminator machine.

The 61-year-old man was removing hardened-on glue from the lower roller spindle on the laminator when his left arm was caught in the drive mechanism on 21 January 2013.

His forearm was caught in the intermeshing metal gears, which chewed up a large chunk of tissue. He needed a skin graft to help it heal.

An investigation by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) found the covers protecting the drive mechanism had been removed to give easier access to the spindle.

Stafford Magistrates' Court heard that the company had not carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. In addition, no safe system of work was in place, and insufficient monitoring of employees took place to identify unsafe practices.

"Mr Turney suffered a painful injury as a result of CEP Ceilings' failing to effectively assess the risk to employees from using and cleaning the machine and then prescribe a system of work which kept employees safe," says HSE inspector Wayne Owen.

"Workers were left to determine their own methods of cleaning machinery and these unsafe methods had existed for many years.

"Safe systems of work, information, instruction and training are required to control the risks during both production and maintenance activities. A robust system to monitor employees also needs to be in place to detect any poor practices."

Brian Tinham

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Health & Safety Executive

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