A company in Rutland which manufactures children’s bedroom furniture has been prosecuted after one of its employees suffered severe injuries to his hand in a makeshift vacuum cleaner.
Belvoir Associates Ltd had modified a dust extraction system which was portable and they had used pipes to secure a flexible hose to the system. However, Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard how the system often became blocked with pieces of wood.
When the incident occurred in April 2013, the dust extraction system was being used to clean some machinery along with the floor and consequently it became blocked. Three workers attempted to unblock it with one worker putting his hand into the opening to try and clear the blockage. However, in doing so his hand was drawn into the blades of the machine.
The 46-year-old employee suffered a number of finger dislocations and fractures as a result of the incident and required several operations. He has since undergone physiotherapy but has consequently lost 40 per cent use of his hand. It is not expected that he will regain the full use of his fingers.
He was off work for ten months following the incident but has since returned to the company in a different role, as he is no longer able to carry out his previous job.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Belvoir Associates had failed to assess the risks posed by the machine and those using it. No training or general information on the machine had been given to employees. The company was fined £20,000 and told to pay costs of £4,449 after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.