Overridden interlock allowed machine to restart, causing 3 fractures to the pelvis of a machine setter

Sink manufacturing company Carron Phoenix Limited was fined £16,000 after a tool setter was struck by a moving part of a machine.

The circumstances were:

• The tool changer on a machine tool had become jammed.
• There was no safe system of work to address this.
• The setter overrode the guard interlock by using a spare interlock switch tongue.
• This meant that there was nothing to prevent the machine from restarting.
• He entered the guarded area of the machine tool.
• As soon as the jam was removed, the machine immediately restarted.
• It struck the tool setter on the body, pinning him against the machine’s outer wall. 
• He sustained three fractures to his pelvis.

The HSE served a Prohibition Notice preventing any of the interlocks being overridden.

They also served an Improvement Notice requiring Carron Phoenix Ltd to develop and implement a safe system of work and to review all risk assessments. 

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