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January 7, 2014

Company fined after employee severs four fingers

 

 
A plastics firm in Birmingham has been fined after an employee severed four fingers in a circular saw.
 
The employee was working at Kalsi Plastics (UK) Ltd on 10 August 2012 when the incident happened. 
 
He stopped the machine to clear a blockage and the saw blade automatically moved from its operating position to its maintenance position in the base of the machine. 
 
However, because of its position in the base of the machine the worker did not realise the blade was still rotating. As he attempted to clear the blockage, his left hand came into contact with the blades and severed four of his fingers. 
 
Following an investigation by the HSE, Kalsi Plastics (UK) Ltd was prosecuted at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on the 6 January. 
 
The HSE found that the motor had not been fitted with an injection brake, so the saw continued to rotate for around five minutes after the stop button had been pushed. 
 
Kalsi Plastics (UK) Ltd, of Tomey Road, Tyseley, was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,418 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the HSWA 1974.
 
Following the hearing, HSE inspector Pam Folsom, said: “This incident could have been prevented and a man spared from suffering painful, life-changing injuries had there been measures in place to bring the blade to a halt sooner.
 
“A number of employees knew that the blade continued to rotate after the power was cut but neither Kalsi Plastics UK management nor its health and safety consultant were aware of the issue. 
 
“Employees were not represented in safety meetings so that known issues could be highlight and control measures implemented. This incident also shows the importance of staff having a voice in management meetings.
 
“The company has since fitted a brake which brings the blade to a halt in around five seconds and has also installed an interlock switch which is tripped when the cover to the base is opened.”

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