It is the duty of employers to protect their workers and, as part of this,they are required to undertake the necessary health and safety risk assessments.Thankfully, these days there are health safety consultants on hand to help with this. However,sometimes firms fail to make full use of such provisions.
An example of this was recently highlighted in Redditch Magistrates’ Court. A hearing there involved the case of a man who had a thumb and index finger amputated and lost most of his middle finger in machinery.
In October 2008,an employee of Non-Flam (Sawdust) Co was instructed to work for neighbouring business firm KSR (UK). Both the organisations produce products for absorbing chemical and oil spillages and leaks.The individual was operating a ‘carding’ machine, which forces polypropylene fibres into a nylon sock. During the process, fibres become attached to teeth of the device’s rollers. As he reached in to remove them, his right hand became trapped in the running nip between two rotating rollers.
According to an investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), KSR (UK) had not implemented any measures to guard the machine.Meanwhile, the prosecution also noted that Non-Flam (Sawdust) Co did not make health and safety risk assessments to identify hazards its staff members may be exposed to when working on behalf of KSR (UK). Both organisations were issued fines and ordered to pay legal costs.
HSE inspector Ritchie McCrae remarked: “The dangers of using machines without suitable guarding are well known and long-established, specifically guidance on the use of carding machines has been available for many years. Yet neither company identified this machine as hazardous and continued to allow employees to operate it.”
Many firms that are eager to fulfil their responsibilities to employees make use of health safety consultants and this can be a very wise policy.