Engineering company fined after an employee's foot was crushed by a machine

An engineering company was ordered to pay over £11,000 after an employee’s foot was crushed by a poorly-guarded machine.

The incident

The employee was operating a machine when his foot was crushed and trapped by the machine’s ram. He had to be freed by colleagues who were able to support him and release his foot. He had to have his right foot amputated, following the incident, and he also sustained fractures to his remaining toes and cut his head.

The Health and Safety Executive investigation

A Health and Safety Executive investigation revealed that if the machine had been better guarded, the incident would not have happened.

HSE inspector Alec Ryan said:
"This incident was wholly preventable and could have been avoided had the company carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and taken the necessary measures to make the machine safe.

"The machine in question was very powerful and it is wrong that a worker was put at unnecessary risk because safety devices weren't working.

"Incidents of this kind are all too common and it is vital employers prevent access or exposure to dangerous moving parts at all times."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-se-05713.htm

Manufacturing company facing $369,000 in fines for 26 health and safety violations

A manufacturing company is facing up to $369,000 in fines after being cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with 26 health and safety violations. Workers at the company’s facility were exposed to machine guarding, lead and electrical hazards.

The health and safety violations

The violations include failing to:
- Train workers to recognize electrical hazards
- Identify fire extinguishers
- Provide machine guarding
- Store respirators correctly
- Provide appropriate PPE and require its use.

Nick Walters, OSHA's regional director in Chicago, said: "When an employer is cited for repeat violations, it shows a lack of commitment to protecting the safety and health of workers. OSHA will not tolerate such negligence."

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Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23724

Machine safety - The focus of WorkSafe's latest campaign

An image of a man with his hand trapped in a mincer has gone up on billboards around Victoria, as part of the latest stage in a major campaign by WorkSafe to warn employers and employees of the risk associated with dangerous machines.

According to the latest WorkSafe statistics, in Victoria:
* 6 workers are maimed every day
* 7 workers suffer an amputation every month
* 11 workers suffer a laceration every week

In the last 5 years, almost 11,000 workers have suffered injuries such as amputations and lacerations caused by dangerous machines, leading to a $220 million bill for medical treatment, rehabilitation and income support. Of the 11,000 injuries, 71% occurred in manufacturing, construction, transport, warehousing and storage industries.

“If a machine is used to mix, move or stamp, then it can cut, crush or amputate,” WorkSafe’s Health and Safety Operations General Manager, Lisa Sturzenegger said.

Over the next year, WorkSafe inspectors will be upping the ante on employers to control dangerous machines by ensuring they are properly guarded, have emergency controls in place and train and supervise their workers properly.

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Source: http://www.worksafenews.com.au/news/item/279-don-t-mince-around-with-machines.html

International paper manufacturer fined £200,000 after worker’s death

An international paper manufacturer has been ordered to pay £260,000 in fines and costs for serious safety failings after a mill worker was crushed between two large rollers running at full production speed.

There had been significant production problems with paper breaks and waste material affecting the process. The 45-year-old worker gained access to the large rollers by opening an unlocked gate, & used a long-handled tool to clear waste material. The rollers were running at 131 metres a minute. He was drawn into the rollers and suffered severe crush injuries.

HSE found significant failings by the company in guarding the rollers and in training given to workers. The company was fined £200,000.

His widow said: "Words cannot describe the gap left in our lives by his death. Today's court decision can never bring him back but does give us a sense of justice.”

HSE Inspector, Jo Fitzgerald, said: "Fast moving machinery is a well-known hazard and must be properly guarded. Managers must take an honest look at how things are done and involve their workforce in identifying problems and improvements."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-sw-arjowiggins.htm?eban=rss-