Check Your Guards
Jan 1, 2010
A Derbyshire worker suffered severe injuries to his left hand when it became caught in machinery he was attempting to unblock. An electrical interlock on the machine’s lid should have prevented the machine operating with the lid open. However, the interlock was damaged leaving dangerous parts of the equipment unguarded, which resulted in the worker losing four finger and part of his palm.
The HSE who successfully prosecuted the employer stated, “companies must ensure that equipment is regularly inspected and maintained so workers aren’t exposed to this kind of risk.”
It is best practice to routinely inspect and check the effectiveness of guards and electrical interlock devices and to keep records of these checks. Employees should be trained in safe systems of work when mainatining machinery, particulalry when guards need to be removed or interlocks are relied on for protection.
The company involved in this case was fined £19,750 and ordered to pay £6,730 costs.
