A worker at a paper factory suffered a debilitating injury when his hand was pulled into an unguarded machine at a factory in Wellingborough.
Michael Taylor, 29, was working at The Paper Pallet Company Ltd’s factory when the incident took place on 20 January last year. He was operating a honeycomb laminating machine, which is used in part of the process to convert recycled paper into pallets.
While using the machine his right hand and forearm were drawn into the unguarded gluing rollers and he suffered multiple injuries. He has had four operations and extensive physiotherapy but it is unlikely he will ever regain full movement in his hand.
The HSE investigated the incident and found Mr Taylor was inadequately supervised and the machinery was unguarded at several points, not just at the point where the incident occurred. The guarding over the gears and chains allowed access to the moving parts of the machine, and some of the emergency-stops did not work properly.
The company had failed to carry out a risk assessment on the machine, which meant there was no safe system of work in place for cleaning the gluing rollers, or for the operation, use and maintenance of the line.
HSE inspector Elizabeth Hornsby said: “This is a very serious case of a company neglecting its duty to supervise and protect its employees from potentially dangerous machinery.
“Basic risk assessments weren’t carried out and Mr Taylor was not given suitable instruction in how to use the machine safely. Even his supervisor had not been given appropriate health and safety training to allow him to discharge his responsibilities adequately.”
The Paper Pallet Company appeared at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday (20 June) and pleaded guilty to breaching s2(1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £10,877 costs.
In mitigation, the firm said it has now introduced a light-guard system, which shuts down the line if anyone breaks the beam to approach dangerous moving parts. The company has no previous convictions.
After the hearing, Mr Taylor said: “The physical scars I have, both on my hand and from skin grafts, mean I’ll be reminded of this accident everyday for the rest of my life.”
“Since the accident I have struggled to get back into work. I have a passion for cars, mechanics and engineering but the idea of working with machinery has given me serious concern. I have a constant fear that I will get hurt when at work and I have also considered a complete career change. I am still in a position where I am unsure how I feel about my career in the long term, or what work I will feel safe to do.”
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