Worker suffers serious injuries after being dragged into an unguarded machine

A manufacturer was ordered to pay over £40,000 for safety failings, after a worker was dragged into an unguarded machine.

The workplace accident

The worker had been working a nightshift at the company’s factory, when a conveyor belt became jammed. Maintenance workers removed the machine’s guards, as they were unable to fix the fault and this allowed the machine to continue operating. While trying to stop the belt rubbing, the injured worker was pulled into the machine and had to be cut free, suffering a broken arm.

As Health and Safety Executive Inspector Emily Osborne pointed out, the employee’s injuries could have been far worse and the company should not have allowed workers to be put at risk like this.

Manufacturing safety

While only 10% of British employees work in the manufacturing sector, the industry accounts for 25% of all workplace deaths. On average, 31 manufacturing workers die in workplace accidents each year, 4500 workers report major injuries and around 19,500 report less serious injuries.

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-nw-polyflor.htm

Manufacturer cited for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials

OSHA has cited a manufacturer with 6 serious safety violations for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials and provide adequate emergency response plans and training at the company's manufacturing plant. Proposed fines total $41,200.

"Manufacturers need to demonstrate a commitment to properly training and protecting workers from exposure to hazards," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria.

3 of the violations involve failing to ensure workers used protective equipment when exposed to hazards capable of causing injury and impairment. These included a lack of hand, eye and face protection for workers exposed to liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids.

The remaining violations involve failing to include evacuation routes and procedures in the company's emergency response and contingency plan and to ensure workers engaged in emergency response involving inhalation hazards were provided with breathing apparatus for respiratory protection and trained on adequate emergency response.

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Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23538