Engineering company fined after worker’s hand crushed

A Tipton engineering company has been fined after a worker’s left hand was crushed, causing life changing injuries.

£40,000 fine

Multi-Stroke Ltd, an engineering company that specialises in metal work, has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,270.56.

Multi-Stroke Ltd, of Locarno Road, Tipton, West Midlands, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 (1) the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974.

The company failed to implement a safe system of work which ultimately led to this serious incident occurring.

Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court heard how on 19 May 2015 the worker was tasked with setting up hot forging equipment for use in a later job. He lost his footing, slipped and his left was crushed between the dies of the machine.

Failure to manage risks

An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Multi-Stroke had failed to implement a safe system of work for this activity. The investigation also found that Multi-Stroke had failed to adequately manage the risks that arise when using machinery of the type involve in the accident.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Jonathan Jones said: “The company failed to implement a safe system of work which ultimately led to this serious incident occurring.

“Duty holders have the responsibility to effectively plan this work and manage the risks associated with working with this type of heavy machinery.”

Due to the accident, the worker involved has lost his thumb, index and middle fingers on his left hand.

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

Listen now!