Latest Health & Safety Prosecutions for unsafe machinery

Catherine Sheppard 13.08.15 Sponmech Safety Systems looks at the latest prosecutions charged against companies who have failed to comply with current machine safety regulations. Apprentice loses two fingers A timber mouldings manufacturer in Rochdale has been fined after a young apprentice lost two fingers while working on machinery. The 16 year old was working alongside an experienced colleague on a moulding machine at Dresser Mouldings (Rochdale) Ltd in July 2014, when a piece of wood jammed. The machine was opened and the apprentice was looking inside to adjust the machine when his gloved right hand caught on the rotating centre blade. His right hand was severely injured, and he lost the entire middle finger and part of his thumb. HSE found that the company had failed to effectively prevent access to the dangerous parts of the machinery. Dresser Mouldings (Rochdale) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined ?18,000.00 with costs of ?844.50.