Safety breach results in arm injury at work

A Derbyshire-based engineering company has been fined for safety breaches following an incident in which an employee got his arm trapped in a drilling machine.

The employee sustained cuts to his arm and a broken finger during the incident at Briggs of Burton in March 2009.

He was using a pillar drill machine when his overalls became trapped around the rotating drill.

The man was only freed after his calls for help were answered by a colleague, who turned off the machine and released him from it.

At Burton-on-Trent Magistrates' Court, it was heard that the drill had no guard or emergency stop.

The company, of Derby Street, Burton-on-Trent, admitted breaching safety laws and was fined £5,000. It was also ordered to pay costs of £1,922.

Gail Pannell, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, said the employee was lucky to escape with only minor injuries.

She added: "But they could have been prevented all together had the company complied with its legal obligation by having the necessary equipment installed."

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “I welcome the fine imposed following this serious work accident.

“Dangerous parts of machinery need to be guarded to prevent the foreseeable risks of serious injury / death from an accident at work.

“Additionally, machinery must a readily accessible emergency stop button in case an accident takes place.

“Sadly, in this case, the machine in question had neither. This is very worrying and disappointing.

“All too often, I have to help workers pursue their compensation claim following injuries sustained following a work accident.“