Dyson fine £1.2M + costs after accident when moving a machine tool

Technology firm Dyson was fined £1,211,511 (inc costs) after an employee sustained head and chest injuries when moving a machine tool.

The circumstances were:

• On August 27, 2019.a milling machine weighing 1.5 tonne was being moved at the Tetbury site.
• Dyson Technology Limited failed to provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction, and training to those undertaking the task. 
• They also failed to adequately assess the task and devise a safe system of work to ensure the machine was moved safely.
• Two employees lifted the machine using a five-tonne jack.
• They were in the process of replacing two fixed roller skates with several wooden blocks when it fell.
• One of the employees was struck by the machine and sustained a wound to his head and injuries to his chest.

The inspector said:
“This incident could have been fatal. Those in control of work have a duty to assess the risks, devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to their workforce.
“Had a suitable safe system of work been in place this incident and the related injuries could have been prevented.”