Manufacturing Company Fined After An Apprentice Suffers Life-Changing Injury

8 June 2021

A manufacturing company has been fined after an apprentice’s hand was caught in machinery.

A 17-year-old apprentice, who had been working at Amber Industries Limited in Oldham for 18 months, was reaming work pieces using an unguarded pillar drill whilst wearing gloves, Manchester Magistrates’ Court was told. The glove on his right hand became entangled in the drill bit resulting in three of his fingers being severed. The incident happened on 21 November 2018.

An HSE investigation found there were no guards in place to prevent access to rotating parts and that the company had failed to provide suitable information, instruction and training to the apprentice, including clear instructions not to wear gloves. They also failed to provide adequate supervision and monitoring.

Amber Industries Limited of Crompton Street, Chadderton, Oldham pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £52,500 and ordered to pay costs of £14,442.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Jane Carroll said: “This injury was easily preventable, and the risk should have been identified. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery”.

NOTE:

The following controls should always be applied around pillar drills:

• Suitable Training
• Guards to always remain in place and be used
• Gloves should never be worn
• Tie back long hair and loose clothing
• Drill to be in good condition and checked regularly
• Safety BS166B goggles or visor to be work
• Remove chuck key
• Check that an emergency stop is fitted
• Report and damage or defects
• Secure the work piece

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