Working with machinery: £200,000 fine after agency worker died

A company which manufactures and supplies high-strength bar and cable systems has been fined £200,000 after a worker was pulled into a machine and killed.

The deceased suffered fatal crush injuries when his clothing got caught in a machine which was used to apply adhesive tape to bars to stop corrosion.

He was an agency worker who had been working for only three weeks when the incident.

The business pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 2 and Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 and was fined a total of £200,000. It also had to pay £16,804 in costs.

Recommendations

Working with machinery is dangerous and requires the business to ensure the following actions are completed to prevent harm to operatives:

• Ensure all machinery and equipment has guarding in place
• Ensure planned preventative maintenance is in place
• Educate operatives through providing instruction, information and training and supervision where required
• Include all personnel, including agency workers, in training and supervision

Doyle Clayton can support your business with providing health and safety advice and support. Please contact Sally Beck for further information.