Defeated interlock on press cause finger injury and £41,000 fine.

Walraven Limited, an Oxford based company who supply heating equipment, was fined £41,353.60 (inc.costs) after a worker suffered injuries to his fingers in a hydraulic press.

The circumstances were:

• The employee was setting up a horizontal press.
• It had become custom and practice to defeat the interlock during the set-up of the press.
• The risk assessment for the work was inadequate and had not been reviewed regularly.
• Because the press had a defeated interlock, when he inadvertently activated it, it crushed the tips of his index finger and thumb.

The HSE inspector said:
“A risk assessment needs to be suitable and sufficient and carried out by a competent person. It should identify the risks associated with all aspects of a machine’s operation including setting and maintenance. Had this been the case then the defeated interlock would have been identified and suitable control measures put in place”