A metal manufacturer has been fined after a worker was injured unblocking jammed machinery.
The employee was operating an electromagnet to sort scrap casting from a vibro-charger machine. The magnet itself became stuck to the vibro-charger. In trying to free the machines, the vibro-charger was lifted off its running rails – it swung and struck the worker.
Risk Assessment
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive found:
- The jamming of the vibro-charger was foreseeable.
- Operatives had developed their own approach to dealing with jams.
- The jamming issue had never been fully identified by managers – so no specific risk assessment had been carried out.
Eurac Poole Limited pleaded guilty to breaking the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
It was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,642.
Entirely Foreseeable
The HSE say the incident could easily have been prevented and was “entirely foreseeable”.
It said the “risk should have been identified at a management level”.
As an employer, you must make sure you properly assess and apply effective safe systems of work that deal with machinery blockages.
Need Help?
If you want to make sure you are fully compliant and your risk assessments are up-to-date, speak with one of our experienced consultants for practical advice and guidance.
