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.

£ 0
Total Fine

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.

H&S writing a health and safety policy

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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.

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