Safety Signs News

Amputation of machinery worker warning about importance of safety signs

8th April 2011 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Ben Alexander

Safety signage is an important part of health and safety to make sure workers are aware of dangerous machinery.

This week, a company was fined after a worker's hand was severed by a machine.

The worker's left hand was amputated by a hydraulic press he was operating which came down on his wrist while he was working for RDB Fabrication and Engineering Ltd.

He told Halifax Magistrates' Court that he had been given less than ten minutes' instruction on how to use the machine.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the firm found that an electronic motion guard which was supposed to stop the machine moving if part of a person entered the area had failed to operate.

RDB Fabrication and Engineering Ltd was fined £12,000 with £2,000 costs.

Paul Newton, a HSE inspector, said: "Contact with moving machinery is one of the main causes of fatal injuries to workers and the third highest cause of major injuries.

"I hope this serves as a reminder to employers of the importance of safeguarding their employees."

Businesses unsure about health and safety signage in their workplace could consult a new online director of specialist consultants, called the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register. ADNFCR-2754-ID-800492511-ADNFCR