Staffordshire firm prosecuted for guarding failure 24 January 2013

Bathgate Slate Technologies in Staffordshire has been fined £4,000 with costs of £5,464 after a worker sustained hand injuries and lost the tip of a finger using a poorly-guarded machine.

The company, which produces building products, was trialling a new machine that forms and sand-coats bricks. The worker – who was taking bricks off the end of the machine's conveyer belt – got his hand trapped between the conveyor belt and the roller.

An investigation by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) found that the machine was missing suitable guarding, which was apparently due to be installed when the trials were complete.

Bathgate Slate Technologies pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations).

"he employee's painful injury should not, and need not, have happened," comments HSE inspector Simon Hall.

"Guards and safety systems are there for a reason, and companies have a legal duty of care to ensure they are properly fitted and working effectively at all times," he ocntinues.

"Being drawn into machines, because of inadequate guarding or – as in this case – a total absence of guarding, happens far too regularly. The importance of robust safeguards to protect workers gaining access to dangerous moving machinery cannot be overstated."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Health & Safety Executive

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.