Incorrect gloves causes entanglement with drill, loss of finger and £28,000 fine

Birmingham-based automotive company Lander Automotives Limited was fined £28,694 (inc. costs) after a worker lost his finger in a drill.

The circumstances were:

• Lander Automotives failed to provide adequate training, a safe system of work, a risk assessment or method statement for drilling.
• On 17 June 2015 an employee was operating the drill whilst wearing gloves.
• A glove became entangled in the drill bit. 
• He suffered partial amputation to the third finger on his right hand.

SSS Note: This is an example of where PPE if worn must be appropriate and not introduce additional risks. Any gloves worn near moving machinery must have low tensile strength so that they rip rather than cause this level of injury.