Safety Signs News

Safety signage importance highlighted after man drawn into machine

7th April 2011 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Jason Nicholls

The importance of safety sights in the workplace has been highlighted after a man was seriously injured by machinery.

China clay company Imerys Minerals Ltd was fined £30,000 by Truro Crown Court and ordered to pay costs of £45,124 after it failed to ensure the safety of its staff manually loading bags onto conveyors.

One worker, at the European Milling Centre site at Par Docks, was drawn into a six inch gap between two conveyor belts, machinery used to flatten bags of china clay.

He suffered multiple injuries to his head, shoulder and chest and was unable to work for one year.

Jo Fitzgerald, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "The serious injuries suffered by Gerry Dalhstrom could easily have been avoided by Imerys if they had carried out an assessment and looked at the risks being taken by employees at the site.

"All employers have a duty to manage health and safety properly and protect their staff as far as possible."

Companies unsure of the best places to put health and safety signage in the workplace can get advice from the HSE or a new website called the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR), which helps businesses to find a safety consultant. ADNFCR-2754-ID-800491470-ADNFCR