Inadequate machinery guarding results in £7,500 fine for North Wales employer

Failures by a North Wales employer to ensure machinery was properly guarded resulted in serious injuries to two members of staff, and a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who have warned that correct safety precautions should be taken when using machinery.

Geraint Jones and Susan Jones, both of Amlwch, were working for Rehau Ltd at their Anglesey factory during February and March 2006 when the separate incidents took place. Geraint Jones received hand lacerations and Susan Jones received lacerations and fractures to both hands after they were drawn into a danger area whilst feeding plastic into the machine.

Rehau Ltd, of Hill Court, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, pleaded guilty to two separate offences under Regulation 11 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 at a hearing at Holyhead Magistrates’ Court on 26th June 2008.

HSE Inspector David Wynne said: “Our investigation showed that one machine did not have any physical guarding and the other machine was being operated without adequate safety devices.”

”Safety guards and devices on machines are put there for a very good reason – the safety of the machine operators - and they need to be appropriate for the risk. Anyone with responsibility for machinery guarding in the workplace should refer to the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance ‘Safe Use of Work Equipment - Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998’ to ensure that their safeguarding measures comply with the law.”

The company were fined a total of £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £3340.92.