July 2004
Heavy Fine For Coventry Based Engineering Firm
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined an engineering firm £22,000 after two employees were injured in two separate workshop accidents.
UYT, a firm based in Coventry Business Park have been fined by the HSE for two separate accidents involving their employees. The company, who design and manufacture steel components for the automotive industry "bitterly regret" both incidents. They admitted to failing to ensure the safety of their employees to Coventry magistrates even though the company had previously won safety awards from the British Safety Council and RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).
The first accident happened in July 2003 when an employee, Alexander McSkimming, crushed part of his finger in a welding machine. Mr McSkimming was changing a tip on a machine at the time, a task which he had not received formal training in and had done on only two other occasions, according to the HSE. He returned to work two months after the accident, having lost part of his first finger.
In the second accident, Ian Gray was reaching to start a milling machine when his sleeve became entangled in a rotating spindle. Mr Gray was left with multiple fractures to his arms, and injuries to his index finger and tendons. He now has two permanent steel plates in his arm, due to a missing guard on the machine.
Even though previously praised on their Health and Safety, an audit by the company’s insurers had highlighted the lack of guards on the milling machine, which employees said was rarely used.
Both incidents had been reported to the HSE at the first possible opportunity and the Company had carried out their own investigations. Due to the severity of each incident however, UYT were ordered to pay a fine of £10,000 in relation to Mr McSkimming’s accident and £12,000 in relation to Mr Gray’s. Costs payable to the HSE also amounted to £3172.35.
Although accident statistics are slowly falling in the manufacturing industry, 41 people were fatally injured in 2002/2003, whilst there were 6,809 reported major injuries to employees. Within small to medium workplaces, the most common kind of accident (at 20%) are those involving contact with machinery.
As can be seen from UYT’s case, employees, through lack of training and deviations from procedures, can still be exposed to serious injuries. Even those companies who proactively try to minimise risks of accidents can still receive heavy fines.
Pro Enviro offers a wide range of consultancy and training courses in Health and Safety issues. We can help you carry out a complete review of Health and Safety in your workplace and provide solutions which will reduce risk and cost. Our online training courses also explain the legal duties as an employer or employee, ensuring that you are compliant with current legislation and are aware of how to reduce the risks of accidents and possible fines.
If you wish to discuss any health and safety aspects affecting your company or would like to find our more about the online training courses offered, please contact Richard Whitaker.
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