NPS Worldwide fined £35,770 after an agency worker’s hand was caught in a rotating fan blade

Oldham-based NPS Worldwide UK Limited that manufactures absorbent products was fined £35,771 (inc.costs) after an agency worker’s hand was caught in a rotating fan blade.

The circumstances were:

• The accident occurred on a filling machine.
• NPS Worldwide failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment
• They failed to adequately guard dangerous parts.
• They failed to provide adequate information, instruction and training to workers.
• On 18 October 2017, the agency worker was removing a blockage in the machine she had been operating.
• Her fingers became caught in an unguarded rotating fan.
• She lost parts of all of her fingers on her right hand.
• No first aid provision was available on the night shift when the incident occurred
• This contributed to her suffering further as incorrect first aid was administered.
• She subsequently sustained extensive scarring to her stomach following an unsuccessful attempt to generate new skin growth to save her fingers.
• She continues to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident and the injuries sustained

The HSE inspector said:
“This injury could have easily been prevented and the risk should have been identified. Employers must make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”