plant-engineer
Home Advertise Magazine Events Contact Us Login
Search     


HSE hits out at lax machine guarding
02/09/2011 Email to a friend   Comment on this article
The HSE has hit out at manufacturers for failing to do enough to protect workers from dangerous machinery.

HSE hits out at lax machine guardingInjuries caused by inadequate guarding were "far too common" the safety watchdog claimed after successfully prosecuting a Warwick manufacturer for safety breaches.

HSE inspector Mark Austin said: "The requirement to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery is long-standing, as is the need to ensure that workers have proper instructions and information when operating machinery."

Austin added: "Employers have no excuse for failing to deal with such obvious risks to health and safety."

The commemnts came as automotive firm Grupo Antolin Leamington was fined over £5,000 after a worker's finger was sliced off while working at the company's Midlands factory.

Ajit Kandola, 37, of Leamington Spa, was cleaning debris from the rotating drive wheel of a foam-slicing machine when the moving blade severed half the index finger of his right hand.

An HSE investigation found Grupo Antolin Leamington should have taken measures to ensure workers could not touch the blade while it was rotating. An interlocking guard to stop power to the blade as soon as the machine door was opened should have been fitted.

Grupo Antolin Leamington pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 8(1) and 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Kandola, now has difficulty carrying out a number of everyday tasks and finds writing awkward and painful, Leamington Spa Magistrates' Court heard

 
Author
Max Gosney
 
 
This material is protected by SOE copyright 2012.
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.
 
Bookmark this article using:
 
Del.icio.us digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon
 
 
Related Companies
Health & Safety Executive
 
 
Related News
Baroness lifts the lid on new manufacturing plant
 
Siemens conference gets BAE Systems ATC keynote
 
Stars of Make it in GB exhibition unveiled
 
Welcome for new jobs as BAE Systems extends site
 
British Safety Council launches IOSH working safely e-course
 
 
Related Technology
Sensing invisible hazards
 
Hone your skills
 
Raise high the pallet, engineers
 
Flawed floor?
 
Hidden hazards
 
 
Related Products
New device to warn forklift drivers of pedestrians
 
 
Related Technology Spotlight
Better crystal balls
 
Hidden hazards
 
Safety first