A HARDWOOD floor company in Lincolnshire has been fined after a worker’s arm was punctured by a large piece of wood.
Paul Murdoch, 40, was cutting walnut boards on a circular ripsaw when a 90cm section broke off and punctured his arm.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the machine had no guards at the time of the incident, nor did it have a riving knife – a safety device at the back of the saw which pushes the two pieces of wood apart and prevents such incidents, known as kickbacks.
Nottingham magistrates were told the machine had been used a day before the incident for a different process known as deep cutting which had seen the guard and riving knife removed. Neither had been replaced.
Weldon Contracts Ltd, of The Grange, Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £6,000 with £4,773 costs. It happened at the company’s workshop in Caunton Road, Norwell, on 11 September 2009.
Following the hearing, inspector Lorna Sherlock said: “This type of machine is wholly unsuitable for deep cutting as it cannot be carried out without first removing the guards and riving knife.
“Not only did the company fail in its duty to only use the machine for its intended purpose, it also failed in its duty to make sure it was fit for its correct purpose.
“Mr Murdoch was fortunate not to have been more seriously injured. Thanks to the actions of the site first aider, he has made a full recovery. It could have been a different story.”
source: thisislincolnshire.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment