Factory worker cheats death
April 6th 08:48 Health and Safety
The importance manufacturers should place on health and safety compliance has been highlighted after an explosion at a rubber factory almost cost one worker his life.
Dave Lomas narrowly avoided death at The Moseley Rubber Company's Manchester premises after an explosion caused an iron girder to smash into his work station.
Had the worker not arrived at work early and made a pot of coffee, the girder would almost certainly have killed him.
Following an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the firm was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £8,153 in court costs as it was revealed that a high-pressure autoclave had not been properly maintained.
The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 9(1)(a) and 12 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 at Trafford Magistrates Court.
HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said: "The company failed to service the machine for more than a decade, after cancelling its annual shutdown for routine maintenance.
"This case demonstrates how important it is for manufacturing companies to take their health and safety responsibilities seriously. It simply isn't acceptable to cut back on safety to try and make short-term gains."
