Metal processing firm in the dock after employee injured

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Daniels was in the final stages of setting up one of the slitting lines operated by the company at its facility on Park Street when the incident took place. His right hand was degloved and his middle finger badly damaged. He spent 11 days in hospital, undergoing several surgeries, which included the amputation of the middle finger as well as skin grafts.

An HSE investigation found the company did not have in place a system of work to ensure that the activity of setting and checking the blades on the slitting head rollers could be carried out safely. The risk assessment for the wide slitting line was not suitable and sufficient and did not consider the risks to employees when setting the blades.

Independent Slitters Limited of Park Street, Church Bridge, Oldbury, Warley, West Midlands pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. On 18 March 2024, the company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,592.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Smewin commented, “The injuries that Mr Daniels suffered have impacted on all aspects of his life and resulted in him having to undergo numerous operations.

“The risks arising from working near to the dangerous moving parts of machinery are well known. Employers must assess their workplace for these risks and act to ensure that effective measures are in place to prevent access to dangerous, moving parts of machinery.”