"injuries when her scalp and part of her ear were torn off after her ponytail became wrapped ..."

This is the actual machine in the incident.

Older machinery can be more dangerous than newer machinery if the older machinery does not have the latest safety mechanisms installed. This incident emphasizes the hazard associated with older machinery:

 

An engineering company has been fined after one of its employees suffered scalping injuries when her hair became entangled in a pillar drill.

Local Magistrates’ Court heard how on September 2019, a an engineering company employee suffered life changing injuries when her scalp and part of her ear were torn off after her ponytail became wrapped around a rotating drill. In the months following the incident she underwent surgery nine times involving skin grafts to re-construct her scalp. Her ear was also amputated.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the rotating parts of the drill were not guarded in accordance with standard industry practice. The investigation also found that engineering company’s own risk assessment for using the drill had identified a guard should be fitted, but evidence obtained indicated the drill had been operated without one for a number of years.

The engineering company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £62,334 and ordered to pay costs of £1,459.90.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard”

We pray that the injured worker physical pain lessens and eventually ceases. We can not imagine what this injured worker is going through. All we can do from a far is publicize this incident and highlight the hazards associated with older machinery and pedestal drills.

Update: We have viewed the graphic photos of the injured worker. The amount of pain both physical and mental that the injured worker suffered and suffers today in unimaginable. We pray that her hair will grow back. 

The Aluminium Times magazine had an article about older machinery. It can be downloaded here.

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