Dreamtouch Mattresses fined £70,000 after employee was drawn into a mattress rolling machine

 

Nottingham mattress manufacturer, Dreamtouch Mattresses Ltd., was fined £70,836 (inc. costs) after an employee of the company suffered multiple injuries after being drawn into an inadequately guarded machine.

The circumstances were:

• The accident occurred on a a NG-06 Semi-Automatic Mattress Rolling Machine (MRM).
• There was nothing to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.
• There was no documented safe system of work for the use of the MRM
• There was no training for the use of the MRM.
• As a result, the common practice at the site was for employees to use their hands, and or arms when feeding and pressing mattresses on the unguarded rotating winding film reel
• An employee was drawn into the MRM
• He suffered multiple injuries to his arm, shoulder, ribs and neck

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