Company fined after worker loses his arm in conveyor belt accident - Palmers Solicitors
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Company fined after worker loses his arm in conveyor belt accident

Company fined after worker loses his arm in conveyor belt accident

A waste recycling plant has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an employee lost part of his arm as a result of a conveyor belt accident.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how on 26 April 2015 an employee of Mid-UK Recycling Ltd was working as a line operator in the Material Recovery Facility building. Earlier that morning blockages had occurred on the line resulting in waste becoming wrapped around the axle stopping a lower conveyor.

Whilst removing the waste from the axle the employee’s glove got dragged into the in-running nip between the belt and the conveyor’s powered roller. This resulted in his left arm needing to be amputated above the elbow.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the company had failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of the conveyor. They also discovered that the castell key system had essentially been bypassed allowing the system to be operated in automatic mode with persons still inside the enclosure.

Lincolnshire based Mid UK Recycling Limited pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. The company was fined £1.275 million and ordered to pay costs of £45,065.

Jeremy Sirrell, a Partner at Palmers and Health and Safety expert said: “The failure of this company to put in place adequate measures to protect employees using dangerous equipment has resulted in not only a terrible injury to a worker but a huge fine potentially  threatening the stability of the firm concerned.

“Contact our expert team today for an in-depth discussion on how you can improve your workplace health & safety.”

For help and advice on all aspects of health and safety law including putting in place strategies to protect your workforce, please contact us today.