It has been reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) here… that two partners in a local farming company have been fined following one of their employees suffering a serious injury.
It was heard by Lincoln Magistrates Court that an employee of the farming company was cleaning and emptying a potato grading machine at the time of the accident. The employee climbed onto the side of the grader and attempted to move any remaining potatoes, but when doing so, got his gloves caught by the rollers which pulled his arm into the unguarded contra-rotating haulm rollers. The employee suffered serious injuries to his right arm.
Further to an investigation by the HSE it was found that the contra-rotating rollers should have been guarded and a safe stop procedure could have been followed.
Martin Giles, HSE Inspector, commented that
“this injury could have been easily prevented and the risk should have been identified. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”
The partners of the company were both fined £5,000.00 further to pleading guilty to the following two breaches. Firstly, for failing to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health and safety of their employees to which they are exposed whilst at work (Regulation 3(1) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999). Secondly, for failing to ensure that measurements were in place to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery, and to stop the movement of any dangerous parts of machinery before any part of a person enters the danger zone (Regulation 11 The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998). If the above two Regulations had been adhered to, the injury suffered by the employee could have been avoided.
It is the duty of an employer to provide a safe premises, safe plant, material and equipment and a safe system of work to his employees.
If you have suffered an injury further to an accident at work, it may not be the fault of your employer, however if it could have been avoided then you may have a claim for personal injury. A successful claim can help you recover lost wages as a result of time off and even provide you with private medical treatment.