:Forest Folk

Following the accident of an employee, HSE has issued a warning on the risks of neglecting the proper management and guarding of machines at the workplace.

The incident leading to the prosecution of manufacturer Tex Engineering Ltd of Ipswich in Suffolk took place in 2006, when contractor Stephen Beare got his hand entangled in an asphalt mixer and lost four fingers and part of his thumb. The case was heard by Basingstoke Magistrates Court and the manufacturer was charged with violation of Section 6(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It pleaded guilty to the charges and it was fined £10,000 along with costs of £14,884.10.

Botley Roofing Ltd had engaged Beare for conducting asphalt-flooring work in Southampton. The company was making use of a Warrior 25cwt asphalt mixer manufactured by Tex Engineering for the purpose.

Eyewitnesses said that Beare was working on the mixer to make sure that the temperature was correct so that the asphalt remained at consistency. As he was peeping into the machine, he dropped a wooden batten into it, and he tried to take it out with his hand.

However, his hand got trapped between the inner part of the mixer and the agitator that was in motion. The agitator in turn severed his fingers and part of his thumb before he could actually free himself from the machine. His glove fell into the machine with his cut fingers inside it.

The incident led to a detailed investigation carried out by HSE, wherein it was discovered that this was not the first instance of its kind as even in 2001, a Seaford worker in East Sussex had lost his hands in a similar accident.

Employers have a duty towards ensuring health and safety of the workers; a NEBOSH course, leading to the award of the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health, can be of benefit to organisations in providing the knowledge to manage safely and effectively in compliance with both the organisation’s policy and best practice in health and safety.