Aeroplane Firm’s Fine Puts Machinery Safety In Spotlight

Manufacturing firms must not underestimate the importance of using the correct guards on machinery, a workplace injury expert has advised.

Irwin Mitchell’s David Urpeth, who specialises in accident at work claims, made the call after Lancashire firm Callender Aeropart was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £3,996 in costs after an employee’s hand was injured in a milling machine.

A subsequent investigation into the incident revealed that the cutting tool on the machine did not feature a guard, despite the problem being highlighted in a risk assessment.

The 28-year-old worker suffered a severed tendon, as well as a broken finger and a serious cut to his ring finger, on his left hand.

Commenting on the incident, David Urpeth said: “Time and again prosecutions brought by the Health and Safety Executive raise the same issues, namely the failure of firms to recognise and tackle avoidable risks that can lead to injury.

“The case involving Callender Aeropart once again highlights the need for firms to use the correct guards and protection on machinery which pose risk of injury to their workers.

“It is unlikely that we will see an end to cases of this kind unless businesses take responsibility and make health and safety within the workplace a higher priority.”