Injury caused by robot leads to HSE fine
July 27th 14:15 Health and Safety
Businesses may realise the importance of proper facilities management after a Birmingham firm has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to adequately protect an employee.
Castle Bromwich-based company Dura Automotive and Glass Systems UK was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay out £20,000 in costs after employee Michael Brewer damaged his voice box as a result of being struck by a manufacturing robot.
Additionally, the worker was almost paralysed down one side of his body when he was hit in the throat while attempting to view the operating cycle of the machine.
Edward Fryer, HSE inspector, said: "This is a prime example of a company failing to address the risks relating to maintenance work.
"Keeping the robot on the automatic cycle in these circumstances could very well have resulted in automatic death."
The company has now addressed facilities management issues by installing large viewing panels in the guarding of the manufacturing robot, so it can be properly viewed by employees from the outside.
