A Shropshire-based laundry firm was fined £7,500 yesterday (19th November) after one of its teenage workers suffered serious back and leg injuries when he became trapped in one of the firm’s industrial machines.
The fine, plus additional £750 costs, was imposed on the firm – Cleantex Ltd in Telford – by Telford Magistrates Court following a lengthy investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Cleantex was found to be in breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, which state:
“Every employer shall ensure that measures are taken in accordance with paragraph (2) which are effective (a) to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery or to any rotating stock-bar; or (b) to stop the movement of any dangerous part of machinery or rotating stock-bar before any part of a person enters a danger zone.”
Telford Magistrates Court ruled the accident could have been easily avoided if Cleantex had simply ensured the gate to the area Mr Brown entered was fixed in place or interlocked to prevent access.
The accident occurred on October 22nd 2013 when Matthew Brown, 19, entered one of the company’s laundry machines to retrieve a lost item of clothing. Mr Brown, from Telford, mistakenly believed the machine had finished working only for a conveyor belt above his head to start moving again which then pinned him to the floor of the machine causing him severe injury.
Following the incident Mr Brown spent nine days in hospital and was off work for a total of seven months. The teenager had to have emergency surgery to repair a broken ankle and four of the vertebrae in his back. He has also undergone a course of physiotherapy before returning to work.
HSE inspector Lyn Mizen said: “At the early stages of his working life, Mr Brown’s future has been severely affected by the serious injuries he sustained as a result of Cleantex failing to prevent access to dangerous moving machinery.”
Cleantex pleaded guilty to the offence, and director Paul Woodhead said: “We regret the injury and ensured within 24 hours it can never happen again.
“We have operated a laundry in Telford for 26 years and this has been our only offence.”
Mr Brown is now back at work where he is performing light duties.
According to HSE figures, accidents caused by machinery costs the UK economy 250,000 working days every year. The organisation’s latest report on illness and accidents at work, released in October 2014 and covering 2012/2013, reveal there are 80,000 non-fatal injuries reported by employers every year, with the highest rates occurring in manual occupations and among less-experienced workers.
If you have been involved in an accident at work, we can help. Visit our dedicated website www.accidentat-work.com for help and advice or call us on 0800 028 2060 to speak to one of specialist team.