On 18 March 2015, Josh Mathieson, 22, was operating an EXTEC 5000 turbo screen 3-way split machine on North Dean Business Park, Halifax, West Yorkshire, when his arm became trapped between the moving belt and the roller. Mr Mathieson had to be cut free from the machine, and sustained a punctured lung, three broken ribs, a fracture to the top half of his right arm and nerve damage.
Investigating, the HSE found that there was a lack of guarding on the machine which is used to crush and grade recycled aggregate stone.
MJB Excavations and Plant Hire Ltd of North Dean Business Park, Halifax pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £33,350.00 and ordered to pay £950 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Sarah Lee commented: “This injury was easily preventable, and the risk from the unguarded machine should have been identified. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”
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