Safety Signs News

Worker's finger injury shows need for health and safety signs

17th December 2009 | Health and Safety Signs

A County Durham company has been fined following an incident in which a worker had two fingers amputated, which may show the need for health and safety signs.

Ravendale Foods Limited, of Leadgate Industrial Estate, Lope Hill Road, Consett, fined £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,865.20 at Consett magistrates court, as a result of the October 2008 accident.

The incident occurred when an employee was attempting to clear away meat from the opening of an unguarded mixer onto a conveyor, when his left hand came into contact with the rotating paddles, amputating two fingers and illustrating the importance of health and safety signs.

Cain Mitchell, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, commented: "This incident could have easily been prevented if Ravendale Foods Ltd had identified the risks from using the machine, ensured suitable guarding was in place on the machine and that staff were properly trained in how to use it."

Meanwhile, West Midlands company KTC (Edibles) Ltd was also recently fiend following a February 2008 accident in which a floor collapsed and a worker was trapped under goods, which may show the need for safety signs to be used. ADNFCR-2754-ID-19517622-ADNFCR