Young apprentice loses finger

The owner of a business that manufactures specialist adhesive tape for industrial applications has been fined after a young apprentice lost his finger on a rotary die press.

The 16 year old apprentice was adjusting guides on a laminating head which is part of a rotary die press. Whilst making the adjustment he tripped, put his hands forward and his index finger got caught in the drive gear at the rear of the laminating unit. His finger needed to be amputated as a result.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that the machine did not have appropriate guards in place to prevent access to dangerous parts of the rotary press.

James Fussell (trading as Tecman Speciality Materials), pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £6,000 with £1,754 costs.

Recommendations for preventing injury to a young person

• Ensure that the young person has appropriate supervision and does not use dangerous machinery or equipment. 
• Ensure a risk assessment is undertaken on a young person - A young person is anyone under 18 years of age.

Review the following in the risk assessment:

• the layout of the workplace
• the physical, biological and chemical agents they will be exposed to
• how they will handle work equipment
• how the work and processes are organised
• the extent of health and safety training needed
• risks from particular agents, processes and work

Further information on health and safety and young people can be found on the HSE website.

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