"worker’s hand was cut off by a chop-saw..."

The use of machinery guarding has been a repeated source of posts on the Aluminium Plant Safety Blog. Here is a recent story emphasizing the need that all machinery needs to be evaluated for machine guarding.

A European company has been fined over €50,000 after a worker’s hand was cut off by a chop-saw. The company makes aviation ground support equipment for aircraft

The man was working at the firm in 2016 when he was injured.

The company, specialises in the design and manufacture of aluminium access systems for the aviation industry.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said the firm should have identified the risk of the injury. He added that it was “easily prevented”.

The company was prosecuted at local Magistrates’ Court and a statement from the HSE said: “On October 21, 2016, at (company) an employee was injured using a chop saw.

“The rotating blade of the chop saw came into contact with the employee’s hand and it was severed.”

The man was working cutting lengths of metal at the time the accident happened.

It is understood that the method being used to cut the metal had been used for some time previous to the accident.

The company makes boarding ramps for aircraft, and has secured major contracts with overseas airports.

Since the worker’s injury the company has put in place processes to mean that it could not happen again.

Risks

An investigation by the HSE found the company had failed to suitably and sufficiently assess the risks from working on the chop saw, provide a safe system of work, or adequately maintain and guard the saw.

It was also concluded that (company) had not provided suitable information, instruction and training, or provide adequate supervision and monitoring.

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

As a result the company was fined over €50,000 and ordered to pay full costs of over €5,0000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector said the case served as a warning to other companies.

He said: “This injury was easily prevented, and the risk of injury 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.”

HSE inspector said the incident showed the importance of completing appropriate risk assessment.

He said: “It is why companies should have good risk assessment in place because that is the bedrock on which you base everything. If you do not get that right, you do not get the systems of work right.”

The company has been contacted for comment.

This story was posted because the news media publicized the recent court action, not the incident per se. Regardless, we pray that the injured worker was either able to have his arm reattached or was provided with a prosthetic arm.

The Aluminium Times magazine had an article regarding machinery guarding. It can be found here.

Please comment.