Monday, July 25, 2016

"when the gloves he was wearing caught between ...."


Gloves have changed over the past 10 years. From basic cotton, leather or a combination of both were common. Now a days manufacturers have designed gloves for a specific operation in some cases. Here is a recent story where gloves (potentially ill fitted) contributed to the incident.

An engineering company based in England has been fined after a worker was injured. A Magistrates’ Court heard how the worker, a fabricator/welder was working for an engineering company.

He was manufacturing aluminium parts using a three roll bender when the gloves he was wearing caught between two of the rollers.

The worker eventually released his hand from the glove, but as a result of his injuries he lost the ring finger on his left hand and his middle finger was mangled.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred in early 2015 found the risk assessment was not suitable and sufficient and did not identify the risk of entanglement from wearing gloves.

There was inadequate monitoring and review of risk assessments and procedures, and no competent health and safety advice at the company.

The engineering company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,843.

We assume from our experience and with the information provided that the gloves were ill fitted or ill-suited for the procedure performed. Or the procedure should have been for the worker not to wear gloves while operating that machine. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has posted incidents where loose clothing has been grabbed by moving machinery. It is important to acknowledge that not all gloves are the same and not all gloves can be used for multiple tasks. If gloves are needed please consult with the appropriate department, glove manufacturer, fellow company on recommends on style and model to wear.


Please Comment.

No comments: