Google Logo Reviews for Accident Claims Sheffield site navigation
finger thumb injury compensation claims Sheffield

Brick firm breaks safety law causing worker to severely injure hand

Posted in: Faulty Work Equipment Finger Injuries Hand Injuries Workplace Injuries 

A West Yorkshire brick making firm has been prosecuted after safety failings at its factory led to a worker losing a thumb and having his hand almost severed in a poorly-guarded press machine.

Surgeons managed to reattach the hand where it had been partially separated using nerve and tissue from his legs. The worker also had to undergo skin grafts and several other restorative operations. He has not been able to return to work.

The court was told that the worker, a machine operative, had started to run a double press brick-making machine, which extends across two rooms and two storeys, at the start of the shift. He was then told the bricks being produced were below standard as the press plates were clogged up with clay and dirt.

The worker stopped the machine so he could clean under the plates but, as he used his gloved hand to remove the dirt, the machine re-started. His hand was drawn into the machine and the re-press came down, severing his thumb and slicing though his hand, leaving it only partially attached.

HSE found the company hadn’t carried out a sufficient risk assessment for the machine. Had there been one, it would have identified failings in the standard of guarding, particularly as workers often needed to access various parts of the machine. Together these led to a high risk of severe injury, or death, to operators entering any of the many danger zones around the machine.


«
»

Start Your Personal Injury Claim Today

Contact Our Claim Managers Now

Call To Claim With Us And Receive The Compensation You Deserve

Telephone Icon Yellow - Compensation For Your Accident / Personal Injury Claim Managers / Accident Claims Sheffield

01144 938 199