A global chemical firm has admitted that it failed to identify that its glove-wearing policy created entanglement risks for workers at its factory in Runcorn.

Ineos Enterprises Ltd introduced a policy at its site in Weston Point Salt Walks, which required workers to wear gloves when using machinery. On 21 September 2010, a 58-year-old worker was operating a metalworking lathe to remove rust off a hitch pin, which is used to connect a trailer to a vehicle.

He was holding a metal file while the rotated the pin, when his glove snagged on it and his hand was pulled round the rotating mechanism. He suffered damage to three fingers, one of which needed to be amputated.

The HSE learned that several employees at the factory had been reprimanded for not wearing gloves, including the injured worker who was reminded by his manager on the morning of the incident that he needed to wear them.

HSE inspector Mhairi Duffy revealed that during her investigation she found that the metalworking lathe and two drill machines did not have safety guards. She said: “A worker has lost one finger and badly damaged two others because Ineos didn’t think about the possible implications of its new glove policy.

“The company ordered its staff to wear protective gloves on the factory floor, even though some workers tried to explain that there were often specific reasons for not wearing them.

“New guidance was introduced nearly six years ago on not wearing gloves while using metalworking machines, but Ineos failed to keep up to date with the latest health and safety advice.”

Ineos Enterprises appeared at Runcorn Magistrates’ Court on 4 July and pleaded guilty to breaching s2(1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £6607 towards costs.

The firm told the court that it has subsequently amended its glove policy to ensure that employees don’t wear gloves while using machines where they could get entangled. It has also removed the metalworking lathes from the site and has introduced fixed guarding on the drill machines.

An Ineos Enterprises spokesperson said: “Ineos conducted its own immediate investigation at the time of the incident and co-operated fully with the HSE's own subsequent investigation.  
“The company accepted that in this instance it failed to ensure a safe system of work for employees using certain pieces of machinery at the site

“Ineos has since taken all necessary steps to prevent a repeat of the incident including improved risk assessments, improvements to the workshop machinery, and a comprehensive staff training programme.”