Manufacturing company fined £340,000 after worker seriously injured while cleaning machinery

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a company after a worker was seriously injured while cleaning machinery. Whilst carrying out the task, the worker reached into the machinery with their left arm. When the worker attempted to remove their arm from the machine, the entrance door to the machine fell activating a hydraulic ram, trapping the worker’s arm. The worker needed three operations to reattach fingers and spent ten days in hospital.

The HSE investigation found that the company failed to put suitable and sufficient measures in place to prevent employees from being put at risk while cleaning the machine. The HSE also found that employees had not been provided with sufficient information and instruction on how to safely use and clean the machine. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £340,000.