Finger loss highlights safety importance
March 2nd 15:51 Health and Safety
Factory operators could be encouraged to look into effective facilities management in order to comply with health and safety regulations following an incident in the north-east.
Tanfield Metal Spinners of Washington has been handed a £2,000 fine by Sunderland Magistrates following an accident at its base at Parson Industrial Estate, which saw an employee lose a finger.
The employee lost the digit while resetting a cog that the company knew had been slipping out of place for some time.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Dr Dave Shallow said: "This company put its workers at risk by expecting them to operate a defective piece of equipment.
"This incident should never have happened. The company knew there had been problems with the machine's gears and should have taken proper measures to ensure it was maintained."
The company was also ordered to pay £1,056 in court costs after pleading guilty to breaching the Power and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
