Expert Calls For Employers To Learn Lessons From Case

Rubber component manufacturer Schlegel Automotive Europe has been fined £9,000 in relation to an incident in which a 46-year-old employee from Leicestershire suffered serious hand injuries at work.

The unnamed worker has only been left the thumb on his left hand intact following the incident in March 2010, when he was clearing a blockage on an injection-moulding machine and a heated nozzle was pushed through his hand.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that the machine was in a poor state of repair, with the interlock system designed to prevent the incident not being maintained properly. An audit also found that safety improvements could have been made to other machines on the site.

The serious injuries meant the worker had to have four fingers amputated and he has been off work for 17 months due to the work accident.

Louise Scott, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, specialises in helping those who have suffered accidents at work, as well as the families of those seriously injured or killed in such incidents.

Commenting on this case, she said: “Employers have a duty to ensure that machinery is regularly checked and always maintained to safe standards. Sadly, a case of this kind demonstrates what can happen when organisations fail to meet such responsibilities.

“We act in a number of cases like this, where people have had their lives transformed as a result of injuries they have suffered in accidents at work which could have been prevented through the proper implementation of health and safety standards.

“While the damage has been done in this case, it is vital that all employers take note of this case and take step to ensure that the same mistakes are not made again in the future.”

If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury at work, our specialist serious injury claims team could help you to claim compensation. Visit our Head Injury Compensation Claims for more information.