Unsafe System of Work Leads to Machinery Fatality
Jan 1, 2010
A recent tragic court case involving the death of an experienced worker provides clear evidence of the need to update risk assessments and have safe systems of work in place at all times.
A fault had developed on a baler machine and the safety gate had not been properly secured for four days prior to the accident. A hand written notice had been placed on the gate which said “Gate switch not connected. Do not open gate”. The gate had been tied shut with cable ties rather than being locked electronically.
An experienced worker appears to have entered the baler enclosure and to have inadvertently activated a sensor. This started up the machine causing the worker to become trapped by hydraulic equipment. The worker was found slumped on the floor and died four days later. The defect could have been repaired in less than an hour.
The company was found guilty fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £19,962 costs.
The prosecuting HSE inspector said that it was "not good enough at any time to rely on temporary or makeshift arrangements in the hope that these will be adequate for safe working. When any repair work or new installation is undertaken, risk assessments must be updated and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of employees."
Wilby Risk Management’s experienced consultants can help with machinery risk assessments and assist with safe systems of work for normal operations and maintenance and breakdown situations.
