Textile company fined after worker suffers crushed hand

Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard on 23 August 2014 that Mr Seward was preparing a piece of machinery for the next shift, when his hand was drawn into the rotating rollers. He suffered severe crush injuries to his left hand resulting in partial amputation of four fingers.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed safeguard this dangerous machinery. They had previously provided a guard, but when it broke down they failed to repair it and instead replaced the guard with an emergency stop wire.

It remained in that condition for over two years, with the proper guard only being replaced the day after this incident.

Heathcoat Fabrics pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The company has been fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2862.30.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Paul Mannell said: “Mr Seward has suffered life changing injuries due to the company’s failures. An individual’s health and safety should not be made worse by the work they do.

“Duty holders have the responsibility to ensure all dangerous machinery has the appropriate level of safety guarding for employees to be able to operate it.”