The Health and Safety Executive has fined a metal recycling firm after an incident that saw a worker’s hand crushed when he was clearing a blockage in a machine on the company’s premises in North West Quay, Tyne Dock.
European Metal Recycling Limited was fined £8,000 and made to pay £5,506.50 in costs after they were found guilty of a health and safety offence.
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told how David Lowery, 49, of County Durham, and a colleague were attempting to clear a blockage from a magnetic conveyor; part of a riddling machine used to clean scrap metal, when the machine restarted, catching and crushing Mr Lowery’s right hand.
Mr Lowery suffered four broken fingers, an injury which is unlikely to ever fully heal, and was off work for six weeks, before eventually returning to perform only light duties. He still suffers pain in cold conditions, and is yet to recover full movement in one of his fingers.
HSE Inspector Bruno Porter claims that the accident could easily have been avoided:
“David Lowery suffered extremely painful and permanent hand injuries, all because European Metal Recycling failed to install simple, protective guards on the machine and ensure a safe system of work was being used.
“Workers were exposed to the risk of having a limb crushed as they tried to clear blockages on the conveyor. At the same time, there was no system forcing workers to stop the machine to clear blockages.”
European Metal Recycling Limited have accepted full responsibility for the accident, claiming that they are “committed to meeting and, wherever possible, exceeding our responsibilities under health and safety legislation.”
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