A builder failed to report an incident in which a sub-contractor suffered serious injuries when his hand was cut by a chainsaw.
Gary Wardle, director of Wardle Site Services, contracted the worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, to clear tress as part of a project to build a wall along the driveway of the firm’s premises in Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent.
The sub-contractor held a log steady at a distance of only 30 centimetres from the chainsaw, which was operated by Wardle. The blade ‘snatched’ the log during the cut and the worker’s left hand was pulled into the moving teeth of the saw. His thumb was cut to the bone, breaking the joint, and he also suffered cuts to his fingers. The injuries he sustained in the incident, which occurred on 16 March this year, caused the worker to stay off work for six weeks.
Wardle didn’t inform the HSE of the incident, despite it being reportable under RIDDOR. When the HSE eventually became aware of the incident it launched an investigation, which found Wardle had failed to carry out a risk assessment for the work. He provided no supports for the log and should have ensured the worker was five metres away from the chainsaw during the cut.
Wardle appeared at Stafford Magistrates’ Court on 12 December and pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974 and reg.3(2) of RIDDOR 1995. He was fined a total of £2500 and ordered to pay the same amount towards costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nic Rigby said: “The risks of using a chainsaw are obvious. They are dangerous pieces of machinery that can cause serious harm or even death, and Gary Wardle carried out his work in a dangerous and reckless manner.
“An effective assessment of the risks needs to be carried out prior to any work of this nature. Anyone using a chainsaw should have received adequate training and must be competent to handle it safely and sensibly.
“In addition, Mr Wardle decided not to inform HSE of this incident, when it was his clear duty to do so. Advice and guidance is readily available from HSE to help comply with the law and keep people safe.”
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Just another cowboy to add the long sorry list that exists in this country. I guess Mr Wardle did not think that the ‘accident’ was serious enough and only reportable if the guy had lost his hand completely. The fine is paultry and will not do anything to stop these ‘rogue traders’ from continuing on their merry way!!