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March 22, 2013

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Six-digit fine for power-press incident

A packaging firm has been fined £200,000 after a worker severed fingers on both hands when they became trapped in a machine at a factory in Whitehaven.

The 25-year-old man, who doesn’t want to be named, was working at Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd’s site at Richmond Works in Hensingham when the incident took place, on 14 September 2010.

He was operating a power press, which exerts forces up to 35 tonnes, to stamp out metal lids that are used at either end of cardboard tubes in packaging for whisky bottles. He was changing the part of the machine used to produce lids and when he reached under the pressing tool to remove a lid, it stamped down on his hands.

The machine completely severed the little and ring fingers on his left hand and the ring and middle fingers on his right hand, while the little and index fingers on his right hand were severed down to the second knuckle. He was unable to return to work for 10 months owing to his injuries.

The HSE investigated the incident and learned the worker’s supervisor had left the company four months before the incident and the employees who took over the role had not received suitable training.

The investigation also found there wasn’t an adequate risk assessment in place for the work, and the injured worker had not been given sufficient training.

HSE inspector Andrew Jewitt said: “The man now struggles with everyday activities, like writing and cutting up food, which most of us take for granted.

“The risk of serious injury from power presses is well known in the manufacturing industry, and the worker’s injuries could have been avoided if Smurfit Kappa had made sure he and his supervisors had been properly trained.”

Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on 21 March and pleaded guilty to breaching s2(1) of the HSWA 1974. In addition to the fine it was ordered to pay £19,308 in costs.€

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Colin
Colin
11 years ago

Another disrespectful and unwelcome headline – more respect please or get a job on a tabloid newpaper.

Jason
Jason
11 years ago

I agree with previous comments (Lias and Colin) regarding wholly inappropiate ‘tabloid headline’ shame on you SHP I thought you were better than that

Lisa
Lisa
11 years ago

What an insensitive headline six ‘digit’ fine, for someone who had their fingers severed and now struggles with everyday activities.

I would like to think this was accidental journalism but as the worker severed 6 fingers overall I get the feeling this was intended as some disturbing pun.

A withdrawal and apology from SHP would seem appropriate here.