Company fined after worker’s hand caught in metalworking lathe

An engineering company has been fined after a worker’s hand was caught in a metalworking lathe resulting in serious injuries to his hand and arm.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how on 24 January 2019, an employee of Martland Rollers Limited, had been using emery cloth by hand to smooth down a part which was turning in a lathe at the company’s site in Cricket Street, Wigan. A glove he was wearing became drawn into the moving parts and his arm followed, causing breaks, lacerations and nerve damage.

An investigation by the Health and Safety executive (HSE) found that the employee had been undertaking a trial period at the company with a view to permanent employment. Martland Rollers Limited failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment and did not provide adequate training or supervision to prevent the new employee engaging in such a dangerous work activity.

Martland Rollers Limited of Botanic Road, Southport, Merseyside pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £13,300 and ordered to pay costs of £3,284.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Roger Clarke said: “This injury was entirely preventable if the risk had been identified and suitable control measures put in place.

“Adequate training and supervision should also have been in place to ensure the machine was being used safely by newer operatives.”

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: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
4. More information about use of emery cloths on metalworking lathes can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/engineering/lathes.htm

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