Worker loses part of finger as gloved hand was caught in unguarded drill

Oldham sheet metal working company Derek Anthony Ltd  was fined £24,000 (inc.costs) after an employee's gloved hand was caught on rotating drill bit.
The circumstances were:

• The accident occurred on a twin pillared drill
• This had been operated for some time with a guard around the chuck
• The control measures in the company's risk assessment were not implemented.
• Training, supervision and instruction were inadequate
• On16 October 2017an experienced fabricator was wearing loose rigger gloves whilst deburring holes using this drill. 
• In the process of this operation, his gloved hand came into contact with a still rotating drill bit. 
• The tip snagged his right hand glove drawing it in and wrapping his hand around the drill bit, severing the finger below the first knuckle.

The HSE inspector said,
“The custom and practice of the company was to rely on experience rather than on the need for guarding with the addition of supervision and further instruction and training as necessary.  Companies should ensure they adequately guard dangerous parts of machinery and provide suitable training and supervision”.

Worker]s legs crushed when compactor started up whilst he was inside it.

William Munro Construction (Highland) Limited was fined £30,000 after an operative sustained severe injuries after falling 2-3 metres into a compactor chamber and a ram crushed his legs.

The circumstances were:

• The accident occurred on a baler.
• Blockages occurred because large cardboard boxes would catch on a lip between the wooden superstructure and the metal structure of the hopper. 
• Workers cleared blockages by climbing up the outside of the baler, 
• The absence of guarding meant operatives were able to access the infeed hopper. 
• No safe system to isolate the machine from the power was in operation in order to deal with blockages safely.
• On 12 November 2018,  an employee was attempting to clear a blockage in a infeed hopper by use of a wooden bar.
• The machine was in automatic mode.
• The blockage was too large to dislodge so the worker got into the hopper and, while holding onto the edge, jumped up and down on the blockage in an attempt to free it. 
• As this was ineffective, a colleague then climbed up the outside of the infeed hopper and jumped inside. The blockage then gave way and the worker fell some 2-3 metres into the compaction chamber. 
• A ram activated and commenced compressing the material, the operative attempted to climb out but before he could do so the ram crushed his legs.

The HSE inspector said:
“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices and communicating them to the employees in their own language. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Worker's arm caught between belt and roller on recycling equipment

Lancashire waste recycling company KT Recycling was fined £33,000 (inc.costs) after an employee was injured whilst operating unguarded machinery.

The circumstances were:

• The accident occurred on the delivery to a magnetic separator.
• Fixed guards had been removed several weeks before the incident.
• KT Recycling had no procedures to check fixed guards were in place.
• KT Recycling failed to provide suitable training in the safe use of the machine.
• KT Recycling failed to adequately supervise the operatives who used it.
• On 13 April 2017, an employee of KT Recycling Ltd attempted to remove waste material when his hand became trapped between the exposed conveyor belt and drive roller. 
• The incident caused extensive damage to his left forearm, leaving him with a lasting impairment in the use of his arm.

The HSE inspector said:
“This incident could easily have been avoided if the company had put procedures in place to ensure that guard plates were maintained correctly, and their use was properly supervised. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Downton and UPM-Kymmene each fined £350,000 after lorry driver was killed by a shovel loader

Downton and UPM-Kymmene have been fined a total of £713, 314 (inc.costs) after a lorry driver was fatally crushed by a shovel loader.

The circumstances were:

• The accident occurred on 6th February 2017 at UPM-Kymmene's Shotton Paper Mill.
• The Volvo shovel loaders had limited visibility.
• There was no safe system of work to segregate pedestrians and vehicles.
• The 29-year-old employee of C M Downton (Haulage Contractors) Ltd was fatally crushed when he was struck from behind.
• Downton and UPM-Kymmene were each fined £350,000 plus costs.

The HSE inspector said:
 “This death would have been prevented had an effective system for managing workplace transport been in place. This is a reminder to all employers to properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risks from moving vehicles in their workplaces”

Health and Safety Sentencing Guidelines results in a quadrupling of fines

Interesting to note that the count of prosecutions has gone down slightly, but the total fines have quadrupled.  This is because of the Health and Safety Sentencing Guidelines.
See how these work: http://phil-sss.blogspot.com/2015/03/health-and-safety-offences-sentencing.html

Health and Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations in place ready for Brexit

On the assumption that Brexit is some form goes ahead, the Health and Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations specify some changes.
These are essentially minor and make changeto references, rather than make any substantial change.
They can be read via: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1370/pdfs/uksi_20181370_en.pdf