Check safety of machinery, manufacturing firms urged
December 1st 09:06 Health and Safety
Facilities management should be used by manufacturing companies to ensure their machinery is not a risk to staff.
This is according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which has issued the warning after successfully prosecuting a firm following an explosion that seriously injured two workers.
Tinsley Bridge, of Tinsley Park Spring Works in Sheffield, was fined £12,000 excluding costs after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety legislation following the incident in June 2008, which was caused by a hydraulic fluid leak.
HSE inspector Tim Johnson said that the business involved failed to act on a previous risk assessment highlighting that fact that hydraulic hoses need to be inspected regularly.
He added that the fine "underlines the importance of carrying out regular safety checks to all machinery and metal-working equipment".
Last month, the HSE published new guidelines relating to the handling dangerous substances, which can be used by firms to cut the risk of accidents occurring in the workplace.
