Brick manufacturer fined after worker seriously injured in machinery incident

Forterra Building Products Limited has been fined after a worker had his left arm amputated and was left paralysed from the chest down after being drawn into machinery.

Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard how on 8 July 2017, Eddie Ely, a chargehand with Forterra Building Products Ltd was working with a group of colleagues to remove a blockage and spillage on a conveyor when he was drawn into the conveyor system. Guards had been removed from the machine but the power had not been isolated.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Forterra Building Products Ltd had failed to properly ensure that machines were always isolated from power, to be made safe, before guarding was removed from machinery.

Forterra Building Products Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc act 1974. Total fines of £200000 were imposed with costs of £7529.11.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Steven Boyd said: “This case shows the devastating consequences of coming into contact with dangerous machinery. It is crucial that companies have a clear procedure for isolating machinery and they have appropriate supervision and monitoring to ensure it is adhered to.”

Notes to Editors

1.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk

2.More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/ [1]

3.HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk