Woman Hurt In Work Accident

A leading workplace injury lawyer has revealed his concerns over a work accident which saw a woman seriously hurt as she helped out at a friend’s workshop.

According to Irwin Mitchell’s David Urpeth, the incident involving Julie Thackray could have been avoided had the necessary protective measures been used to protect her from harm.

She was helping Diptune owner Graham Salter by working on extractor fans when her glove was caught in a milling machine that left her with both fractures and cuts to her forearm.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation revealed that guard screens on the machine had been left open, while the machinery was programmed to function non-stop while replacing parts one by one. Mr Salter was fined £4,000 and order to pay £1,622 in costs over the incident.

Commenting on the case, accident at work claims expert David Urpeth said: “It is alarming that the employer in this case failed to fully protect someone who was essentially doing him a favour.

“In addition, it is concerning that the machine was set up in a manner which made it particularly dangerous to any user. I hope that this case stands as an example to other organisations that they must make use of the necessary protection on machinery.

“The welfare of employees must be a priority for companies in all sectors.”